Aranyaprathet: The atmosphere at the border checkpoint is quiet. Many media outlets are going to the area to keep an eye on tomorrow morning whether they will still allow students to enter and exit at 6:00 a.m. or not.
According to Thai News Agency, reporters observed that the Aranyaprathet border checkpoint was quiet on both the Thai and Cambodian sides, amidst rumors that Cambodia may order the closure of all border checkpoints. Currently, Thai News Agency reporters are stationed in the area to monitor whether the relaxed measures will continue to permit students to pass through the border checkpoint in the morning starting at 6:00 a.m.
These relaxed measures followed discussions between Colonel Patiwat Fuangpraphat, Deputy Commander of Burapha Force/Deputy Chief of the Thai-Cambodian Border Coordination Office, 1st Army Region, and Lieutenant General Pech Vanna, Chief of the Cambodian-Thai Border Coordination Office, along with Mr. Kiat Hoon, Governor of Poipet. The Governor of Poipet requested coordination between the Cambodian-Thai and Thai-Cambodian Border Coordination Offices to convene relevant agencies from both sides for a meeting to address and resolve issues at the Poipet permanent border crossing. This led to an order by Maj. Gen. Benjapol Dechatiwong Na Ayutthaya, Manager of Burapha Force, relaxing restrictions for students to enter and exit from 06.00 to 18.00 hrs., while the general public is allowed to cross from 08.00 to 16.00 hrs.
However, due to the specified border checkpoint entry and exit times, some individuals, including Thais wishing to enter Cambodia and Cambodians returning to Poipet, were stranded on the Aranyaprathet side. Consequently, hotels and accommodations in the area saw an increase in the number of guests, which included those unable to travel through the border checkpoint within the allotted time.
It was also noted that on the Cambodian side of the border, in addition to immigration officers, there is a presence of soldiers stationed as a force, which contrasts with the Thai side that is still employing normal measures to maintain security.