ID :
177749
Mon, 04/25/2011 - 14:26
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http://m.oananews.org//node/177749
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Thai-Cambodian border trade damaged by 300-500 million baht
BANGKOK, April 25 (TNA) - Thanavath Phonvichai, director of the Center for Economic and Business Forecasting at the University of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, said the border clash between Thailand and Cambodia which has continued for three days had not affected the overall economy but had slight impacts on border trade and tourism as it took place at the border in Surin and Si Sa Ket provinces which are not important border passes. The value of border trade in both provinces is estimated at about 2.4 billion baht a year.
Most border trade activities happen through border passes in Sa Kaeo and Trat provinces and they have not been affected. The value of border trade is estimated at 30 billion baht annually through the Rong Klua market in Sa Kaeo and 10 billion baht annually through Trat province while the overall value of border trade between Thailand and Cambodia amounts to 60 billion baht yearly. Today border passes in Sa Kaeo and Trat remain open. Yet, there may be some psychological impact as people may reduce their purchases due to border concerns. Tourists may postpone their trips to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom sites. Mr Thanavath estimates a short-term damage to border trade and tourism at 50-100 million baht per day or 300-500 million baht during the past three days of the border clash.
If the situation deteriorates to the point that border passes are closed in Surin, Si Sa Ket, Sa Kaew and Trat, damages to border trade will rise to 100-200 million baht a day. Cambodia imports consumer products worth as much as 50 billion baht from Thailand while Thailand imports Cambodian products worth only 5 billion baht. Thanavath does not think Cambodia wants a trade problem because it is more complicated and costlier to import products from other countries including Vietnam. He expects the border problem will be relieved soon through negotiations and mediation by other countries.
“This clash is not different from the previous one. It is an area-based and military clash while border trade continues as usual. I believe the situation will end soon with early mediation by other countries,” Thanavath said. (TNA)
Most border trade activities happen through border passes in Sa Kaeo and Trat provinces and they have not been affected. The value of border trade is estimated at 30 billion baht annually through the Rong Klua market in Sa Kaeo and 10 billion baht annually through Trat province while the overall value of border trade between Thailand and Cambodia amounts to 60 billion baht yearly. Today border passes in Sa Kaeo and Trat remain open. Yet, there may be some psychological impact as people may reduce their purchases due to border concerns. Tourists may postpone their trips to Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom sites. Mr Thanavath estimates a short-term damage to border trade and tourism at 50-100 million baht per day or 300-500 million baht during the past three days of the border clash.
If the situation deteriorates to the point that border passes are closed in Surin, Si Sa Ket, Sa Kaew and Trat, damages to border trade will rise to 100-200 million baht a day. Cambodia imports consumer products worth as much as 50 billion baht from Thailand while Thailand imports Cambodian products worth only 5 billion baht. Thanavath does not think Cambodia wants a trade problem because it is more complicated and costlier to import products from other countries including Vietnam. He expects the border problem will be relieved soon through negotiations and mediation by other countries.
“This clash is not different from the previous one. It is an area-based and military clash while border trade continues as usual. I believe the situation will end soon with early mediation by other countries,” Thanavath said. (TNA)
