Thai business people in Cambodia returning home

CHANTHABURI, July 24 (TNA) – Thai business people in Cambodia arereturning to Thailand due to the uncertain situation over the continuing Preah Vihear temple dispute.

Sombat Chuengtrakul, chairman of the local entrepreneurs club along the Thai-Cambodian border in Chanthaburi, said the situation in Cambodia is causing worry among Thai investors there, many of whom are packing theirbags and returning home.

Thai entrepreneurs are temporarily closing their businesses because they are not confident regarding Cambodia's position towards their presence inthe face of the Preah Vihear dispute.

Rumours are circulating among Cambodians, in particular through cell phone, SMS messages that up to 10,000 Thai soldiers had mobilised and werebeefing up security along the Thai-Cambodian border, Mr. Sombat said.

"Some of the messages were rumours that caused confusion among Cambodian people. Thai businesspeople feel they have to travel back to Thailand towait until they see the situation returning to normal," Mr. Sombat said.

However, he said that border trade in Chanthaburi's Soidao and Pong Nam Ron districts is carrying on as usual. (TNA)