Easing Cambodian Border Restrictions in Thailand to Aid Stranded Individuals and Vehicles
In a bid to ease the strain on border communities and alleviate the impact of current bilateral tensions, the Burapha Task Force has loosened its grip on Thai-Cambodian border controls. This move comes after the army sealed the border, except for essential purposes, due to the ongoing dispute that began in April, initiated by the Cambodian side.
Maj Gen Benchapol Dechatiwong na Ayutthaya, the task force commander, signed two orders to provide temporary relief, effective immediately, with a seven-day timeframe. Stranded cargo trucks can make their way back home through three critical border checkpoints.
The daily limits for inbound or outbound truck crossings at Ban Khao Din and Ban Nong Ian-Stung Bot are 50 trucks, while the number is capped at 20 for the Bang Nong Prue checkpoint. The operating hours for these checkpoints are between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., except for Bang Nong Prue, where the time frame is 8 a.m. to noon only.
It's important to note that only cargo trucks whose journeys were registered with the Thai Customs Department before June 25 are eligible for this reprieve. Furthermore, cargo trucks that had previously departed for Cambodia will have to return empty-handed.
The commander also extended stays for Cambodians holding border passes and temporary work permits, though those with expired permits before June 23 were not covered under this order.
The primary reason for this leniency is to tackle humanitarian concerns and facilitate trade, ultimately relieving the economic strain on the affected local communities. By maintaining a balance between security concerns and economic and humanitarian needs on both sides, the Thai government aims to preserve order, peace, and stability along the border.
In light of the ongoing war-and-conflicts and bilateral tensions, the Burapha Task Force's decision to ease border controls can be seen as a political move aimed at alleviating humanitarian concerns and facilitating trade, thus addressing general-news issues like the economic strain on border communities. Meanwhile, the commander's order to extend stays for Cambodians holding border passes and temporary work permits underscores the importance of crime-and-justice considerations, ensuring order and stability along the Thai-Cambodian border.
