SA KAEO, July 26 (TNA) - Trade in the key Thai district of Aranyaprathet bordering Cambodia remained sluggish Saturday amid rumours that Cambodian traders were refusing to accept the Thai currency, the baht, due to fears that tensions along the border over regarding a disputed zone adjacent to an ancient temple could escalate.
Fewer than half the normal number of Cambodian traders crossed into Thailand's normally lively Aranyaprathet market in an atmosphere or inactivity, while the volume of Thai tourists visiting Cambodia's 12th-century Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom tumbled to less than 100 from about 1,000 persons during prior weekends.
Cambodian traders with a sense of nationalism refused to accept the baht at all, saying they preferred the Cambodian currency, the riel, after selling their wares at the Aranyaprathet market.
A Cambodian market vendor, a woman who crosses the border every day, said Cambodian traders were being searched by motorcycle-taxi drivers upon returning to Cambodia's Poi Pet town, at the other end of the short bridge, were scolded and told that they did not love the nation if Thai currency was found inside their wallets.
Thailand's Burapha Task Force stationed along in the border area said Cambodian traders still used the Thai baht in daily trade, except for small vendors who preferred the riel out of concerns that Thailand would close the border.
Security at Thai government offices near the border has been tightened, also on fears that fighting between both sides could break out.
Fewer than half the normal number of Cambodian traders crossed into Thailand's normally lively Aranyaprathet market in an atmosphere or inactivity, while the volume of Thai tourists visiting Cambodia's 12th-century Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom tumbled to less than 100 from about 1,000 persons during prior weekends.
Cambodian traders with a sense of nationalism refused to accept the baht at all, saying they preferred the Cambodian currency, the riel, after selling their wares at the Aranyaprathet market.
A Cambodian market vendor, a woman who crosses the border every day, said Cambodian traders were being searched by motorcycle-taxi drivers upon returning to Cambodia's Poi Pet town, at the other end of the short bridge, were scolded and told that they did not love the nation if Thai currency was found inside their wallets.
Thailand's Burapha Task Force stationed along in the border area said Cambodian traders still used the Thai baht in daily trade, except for small vendors who preferred the riel out of concerns that Thailand would close the border.
Security at Thai government offices near the border has been tightened, also on fears that fighting between both sides could break out.
4 comments:
gREAT GREAT OUR CURENCY
yes, it's about time the gov't of cambodia stop allowing people to use the baht inside cambodia and using only the khmer riel as to boost the khmer pride for using our currency, the riel. however, the US dollar is tolerable in cambodia, just not the thai baht or whatever. i don't see thai using our riel in thailand so why should cambodia allow the use of thai baht in cambodia? that has gotten to change soon! god bless cambodia.
Thai merchant don't accept Riel. Khmer traders must exchange Riel to Baht at high rate. After trading, Khmer traders must exchange Baht to Riel at low rate. The winner is Thai exchange bankers.
I want to encourage all Cambodians not to used Thai baht. It is equivalent to national crime and treason to use Thai Baht in Cambodia in all business transaction. It is relegate Khmer Pride and minimize the importance of Cambodian Riel.
We need to stop thinking of business sense but also we need to think of Cambodian sense and pride.
Post a Comment