New Cambodia-Thailand Border Crossing to Help Ease Traffic

Written by DAP-NEW -- Friday, 07 August 2009 02:47

Cambodian-Thai Poi Pet International Border is to be used for tourism terminal Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to open a new border crossing south of Poipet. It is hoped the new crossing will reduce traffic jams and promote trade. This agreement was made following Cambodian Deputy PM Hor Namhong’s two-day visit to the 6th meeting of the joint commission for bilateral cooperation between Thailand and Cambodian held in Thailand on August 4-5. This new crossing will be called Stung Bot and used primarily for trade transport, leaving Poipet to concentrate on tourist visitors. Hor Namhong, also minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, told reporters at Phnom Penh International airport on Wedne- sday that both parties approved the signing of an agreement over the new crossing. “In response, Thai Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva will ask his internal working group and expert officials to study and analyze this new crossing with Cambodia,” he said. “The old crossing is very crowded so this new one is to help reduce traffic.” Poipet is indeed sometimes stretched almost to breaking point, hordes of day laborers, crowds of tourists and a rag-tag assortment of goods vehicles battling their way through chaotic jams. Around 800-900 tourists cross Poipet each day. Banteay Meanchhey Governor Sor Chamrong was optimistic over the new crossing. “Trade transportation by this new border crossing will be better,” he told DAP News Cambodia on Thursday. Head of the Poipet Sao Bunrith told DAP News Cambodia that “Stung Bot border crossing will help avoid traffic jams by sharing with Poipet Crossing. It also helps promote for more tourists to travel with this crossing.” In another move that will please Cambodia if agreed to, the Thai Government may urge its businessman to buy Cambodian crops. “Cambodia urged Thai government to sign Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) focusing and promoting Thai businessmen buy Cambodian farmers’ crops,” Hor Namhong said. The Thai Government relied they would consult internally and return with an answer.

Last Updated on Friday, 07 August 2009 03:12