Sisaket: Cambodians engaged in a heated exchange with Cambodian soldiers at the Chong Sangam border crossing in Sisaket Province over the delay in opening the checkpoint. The soldiers cited the necessity of awaiting orders from the governor of Oddar Meanchey Province as the reason for the holdup, directing travelers to use the Chong Chom crossing instead.
According to Thai News Agency, the Chong Sangam checkpoint, located in Tambon Phrai Phatthana, Amphoe Phusing, Si Sa Ket Province, opened 20 minutes late at 8:20 a.m. due to consultations with military officials regarding the checkpoint's operational hours. The delay affected numerous Cambodians and container truck drivers waiting to return to Cambodia. By 9:45 a.m., tensions rose between Thai and Cambodian soldiers over the continued closure, as the Cambodian side awaited further instructions from provincial authorities, leaving travelers frustrated.
In contrast, the Ban Hat Lek border crossing in Trat Province experienced a quiet morning. The Thai-Cambodian vehicles gradually crossed the border after the checkpoint opened at 8:00 a.m., with the Cambodian side following suit at 9:00 a.m. While large trucks returned to Thailand, the crossing saw no movement of Cambodian citizens or energy supplies, due to logistical challenges and distance from Thai fuel stations. The primary export to Cambodia remains seafood, necessitating official permissions.
Meanwhile, at the Chong Chom border crossing in Surin Province, cassava trucks, previously stranded in Cambodia, began returning to Thailand. However, uncertainty remains for trucks intending to cross into Cambodia, as drivers fear potential border closures that may prevent their return. Some drivers with proper documentation continue to seek clarification from Cambodian authorities. The Chong Chom border market remains a bustling hub for Cambodians purchasing food and essentials, a practice sustained for over two decades.