Trouble Brewing in Thailand?

July 27, 2011
By Tim LaRocco
The Diplomat

With news breaking this week that a Cambodian solider was killed on the border with Thailand, the site of a dispute that was recently adjudicated by the International Court of Justice (ICJ), it’s worth looking at how serious this development could turn out to be.

The Phnom Penh Post reported that Cambodian military officials claimed that Thai soldiers initiated the hostilities from their side of the border:

‘Pok Sophal, a Royal Cambodian Armed Forces commander for Oddar Meanchey’s Trapaing Prasat district, about 100 kilometres from the Preah Vihear temple, claimed that Thai soldiers had opened fire on the soldiers.

‘”We had an appointment for the meeting (between Cambodian and Thai soldiers), and when we were walking, they opened fire at our soldiers,” he said. “They were already prepared to intentionally open fire at us in advance.”’

Cambodian PM orders troops at border be "alert but calm"

July 09, 2011
Xinhua

Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen ordered soldiers based at Cambodia-Thai border to be on "alert but patient and calm" and to avoid any "provocative act."

In a statement released Friday after the weekly cabinet meeting, Hun Sen said that while Cambodia is seeing a positive move concerning the foreign policy of Thai Prime Minister-elect on restoring Cambodia-Thai relations, the military must stay alert, patient and calm and avoid any provocative act.

Phay Siphan, spokesman of the Office of the Council of Ministers said the premier delivered the order directly via video conference during the meeting to all military commanders at the border.

Thai-Cambodian border tension eases: Army Region 2 commander

SURIN, May 4 (MCOT online news) – Tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border have now relaxed and the troops of both sides have pledged to resolve the border dispute by negotiation, Thai Army Region 2 commander Lt-Gen Thawatchai Samutsakorn said on Wednesday.

The Thai regional military commander said after visiting soldiers injured in the clashes which erupted April 22, when both parties used heavy weapons causing casualties among the troops and residents of the two countries.

Gen Thawatchai said the situation has now eased since no heavy weapons such as artillery or rocket launchers have been used recently.

CWCI's Statement on the New Situation at the Khmer-Thai Border

Today CWCI based in Norway release its statement regarding the new situation at the Khmer-Thai border. The statement can be found below.

CWCI

Click on the statement in Khmer to zoom in

Situation Along Thai-Cambodian Border Remain Under Control

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Jan 18 (Bernama) -- The situation along the Thai-Cambodian border has remained under control despite the largest-ever realignment of Cambodian troops along the common border currently, Thai News agency reports Tuesday.

Commanding General of Thailand's Second Army Area Command Lieutenant General Thawatchai Samutsakhon made the assurance on Tuesday as the Thai military has been vigilant on maintaining border security.

Lieutenant General Thawatchai said that, like Thailand, Cambodia normally realigns its border troops every 1 to 2 months as a way to relieve exhausting soldiers and to their boost morale--based on a bilateral agreement that the other side is to be informed of every realignment.

The current realignment of Cambodian troops near Thailand's northeastern Si Sa Ket Province adjacent to the ancient Preah Vihear Temple.

In future, he hoped that Cambodia would reduce the number of soldiers deployed along the border, so as to save its defence budget.

Situation at the Cham Yeam border post in Koh Kong

Report by Sek Bandith, Radio Free Asia
Video by Uon Chhin

Three [Thai] Villagers may be held by Cambodia

August 22, 2010
The Nation

Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva declined to comment yesterday on reports that some Thais were arrested by Cambodian soldiers for encroaching on disputed land near Preah Vihear Temple. He said the reports had not been confirmed.

Foreign Ministry secretary Chavanond Intarakomalyasut said three villagers could have been arrested after seeking wild products in the woods and straying into the disputed area. The ministry has asked the Thai embassy in Phnom Penh for information.

Chavanond stressed that the Thais were not arrested as hostages and had nothing to do with Thai-Cambodian border dispute.

"The villagers' daily life is to get into the woods to find wild products. They usually carry weapons, as it is dangerous on the border, including from wild animals and guerrillas. However, the Foreign Ministry assures that it will make progress in helping Thais get back home and that the problem will not get worse," he said.

Reacting to reports that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was ready to join bilateral talks with his Thai counterpart over the Thai-Cambodia border dispute at the Asia-Europe Meeting next month, Chavanond said Thailand was ready to talk with Cambodia as long as it respected Thailand's procedures. Through bilateral talks, Thailand was ready to join hands with Cambodia to find a solution on a fair basis.

He said no soldiers guarded the border unless it was in sensitive disputed areas, where villagers might unknowingly wander. And Cambodian soldiers might not negotiate with them if they were not authorised to do so.

Second Army Region Commander Lt-General Veevalit Chornsamrit said the situation on Thai-Cambodia border was still normal and there were no signs suggesting possible violence.

The number of soldiers guarding the area was still at the normal level, he said.

Each country's military could still talk to each other while trying to secure their national sovereignty. Commanders of the nearby areas shared a meal every Monday, as usual. They agreed to keep the situation normal without using arms. However, other conditions were for the government to talk and decide.

Veevalit said the issue of the border line was a responsibility for the Joint Boundary Commission, which has members from both countries.

Meanwhile, the United Nations chief Ban Ki-moon was ready to help Cambodia and Thailand resolve their deadly border dispute, a UN spokesman said on Friday.

"The Secretary-General hopes that Cambodia and Thailand will resolve the dispute along their border amicably through dialogue," Farhan Haq told a press briefing. "He stands ready to help the parties."

Army commander ensures peace on Thai-Cambodian border

08/18/2010
VOV News (Hanoi)

The Thai army commander said his army is ready to maintain peace and order on the Thai-Cambodian border.

General Anupong Paochinda, Army Commander in Chief, was quoted by the National News Bureau of Thailand as saying that Thai soldiers have been maintaining order along the border in line with the government’s policy. He also dismissed reports that Cambodia has deployed more soldiers in the area, adding that soldiers of both sides have been on good terms in spite of the dispute.

The address follows tense relations between the two countries over the border demarcation issue, which ignited a heated altercation, with each side accusing the other of infringement on its sovereignty.

Meanwhile, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen has called on international bodies to help mediate the conflict, whereas Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva has urged that the dispute be resolved through bilateral negotiations.

Suthep: No tension along the border

30/07/2010
Bangkok Post

The Thai-Cambodia border area remains quiet even though the World Heritage Committee has postponed its consideration of Cambodia’s management plan for Preah Vihear temple to next year’s meeting in Bahrain, Deputy Prime Minister Suthep Thaugsuban said.

“There is nothing to worry about. Thai people should not panic as the government has a clear-cut guideline to settle the border dispute with our neighbour by peaceful means,” Mr Suthep said on Friday morning.

Mr Suthep, who is in charge of security affairs, said the postponement gives an opportunity for Thailand and Cambodia to hold talks on the demarcation of the disputed border area.

Asked about reports that Cambodia had built a road and temple in the disputed area, the deputy premier said he needs more times to gather information on the matter. He would keep the public informed.

He called on all parties to refrain from making the Preah Vihear temple dispute a political issue for political gain or self-interest, because it is a matter of benefit for the nation and all Thai people.

Border situation remains normal: Thai diplomat

July 29, 2010
Xinhua

The situation along the Thai- Cambodian border has remained normal, Chalotorn Phaovibul, charge d'affaires of Thailand's Embassy in Cambodia, said on Thursday, the website by the Bangkok Post reported.

His remark was made amid Thailand's opposition to Cambodia's management plan for the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple.

Chalotorn said he has believed Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Sen would not react until the World Heritage Committee (WHC) decides whether to go ahead and approve Cambodia's management plan for the ancient temple.

Reinforcement of troops along the border is normal, he said, adding that he has not been reported of any unusual situation there.

Thailand's Foreign Ministry has instructed him to monitor Phnom Penh's movement and reported it back to Thailand, he said.

No matter what the WHC's decision would come out, Chalotorn said he has believed Thailand and the neighboring country would not resort to violence, but to adopt diplomatic means to solve the conflict.

Interior Minister Chavarat Charnvirakul has re-affirmed of the normal situation at the border as the ministry is continuously reported of the development there by the northeastern Si Sa Ket province's administration, the Matichon online said.

Deputy Prime Minister in charge of security affairs Suthep Thaugsuban said in the morning he was not worried about the situation at the Thai-Cambodian border, the Thai News Agency (TNA) reported.

Troops can manage the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border, the Thai deputy prime minister said.

Thailand and Cambodia have historically laid claim to the site, which is located on a mountain top on the Thai-Cambodia border. The disputed area of 4.6 square kilometers has not been demarcated.

In 1962 the International Court of Justice ruled that the 11th- century Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia.

6 Thai soldiers tried to enter Ta Krabei temple

11 Feb 2010
By Hang Savyuth
Radio Free Asia
Translated from Khmer by Socheata
Click here to read the article in Khmer

Cambodian border defense troops along the top of Phnom Dangrek Mountain at Ta Krabei temple reported that 6 armed Thai black-clad soldiers equipped with a machine gun attempted to enter Ta Krabei temple located inside Cambodian territories in the morning of 11 Feb. The Thai soldiers wanted to set up camp near the temple.

On Thursday afternoon, an anonymous Cambodian army officer from Unit 421 stationed in Ta Krabei temple, located in Kauk Khpous commune, Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province, said that 6 Thai soldiers tried to enter the perimeter of Ta Krabei temple at 8:30 AM. However at about 50-meter from the temple, they met with Cambodian soldiers stationed there who chased them back to Thailand.

The same army source indicated: “They were all armed, they had 4 AK-47s and a machine gun. Their goal was to come and tell us to get out of there. They entered 50-meter when they met my defense line, and I chased them back!”

On Thursday, along the line of confrontation between Thai and Cambodian troops at the Ta Moan temple, a report indicated that the situation is calm and access to the Ta Moan temple is normal. However, it is clear that along the western fence of the Ta Moan temple, there are numerous Thai black-clad and Para soldiers standing there on alert and ready for fight.

At the Preah Vihear temple, a report indicated that the confrontation between Cambodian and Thai soldiers at the Veal Entry area and in front of Preah Vihear temple did not reach a tense situation yet, but all Cambodian soldiers are ordered not to step out far from their posts, and they have all been on alert during the past two days.

Military Plans Prolonged Border Defense [-Nothing done along the Yuon border?]

By Kong Sothanarith, VOA Khmer
Original report from Phnom Penh
13 January 2010

Cambodia has begun reinforcing its troops along the Thai border and plans to keep a strong military presence on the border until at least 2014, the Ministry of Defense says in a review.

In a report distributed to local media, Minister of Defense Tea Banh said the border would be bolstered “to ensure national protection.”

The Ministry of Defense is conducting a five-year review and making plans for the next five years.

The five-year plan includes recruitment of new forces and addition of equipment. Cambodian soldiers are engaged in a protracted standoff with Thai troops along the border at Preah Vihear temple.

Sporadic skirmishes since July 2008 have left at least seven soldiers dead.

“To ensure national protection, the Ministry of National Defense, the general command, have reinforced forces along the western and northern border and recruited new forces along with new equipment, for quality in combat,” Tea Banh said in the report, which was issued to defense officials Tuesday.

The document highlights reforms that include consolidating infantry, maritime and air forces.

Cambodia, Thai soldiers enjoy New Year's dance near border

PHNOM PENH, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- Some 80 Cambodian and Thai soldiers enjoyed a New Year's dance last weekend, a festivity that helped the two sides of armed forces to know each other and exchange gifts, a senior military official said Monday.

Major Gen. Srey Doek, commander of Division 3 based at Preah Vihear Temple said some 30 Thai soldiers and 50 Cambodian soldiers who are all based along the two countries' borders had enjoyed a Jan. 1 gathering.

He said during the gathering, both sides had exchanged gifts, sharing fruits, drinks and danced to the music together for about two hours at Choam Te border point, about 18 kilometers from Preah Vihear Temple.

He said during the gathering, both sides had pledged that regular meetings shall be held in order to avoid any armed clash.

Since the border conflict between the two nations began last year, two times of armed clashes had occurred, during which several soldiers from both sides were killed and injured.

Cambodia and Thailand believe in Buddhism and they enjoy similar culture, tradition and round dance (Roam Vong Dance).

All quiet on the eastern front

November 13, 2009
The Nation

As politicians and diplomats squabble, the Thai and Cambodian armies stay calm on the border

Strange as it may seem, the Thai and Cambodian armies are playing it cool. Unlike their political leaders, they are not at each other's throats as diplomatic ties between the two counties go into a tailspin after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen appointed fugitive ex-premier Thaksin Shinawatra as his government's chief economic adviser.

Military insiders say that Defence Minister Prawit Wongsuwan and his Cambodian counterpart, Tea Banh, have been in constant communication and are looking for ways to contain the diplomatic fallout so they don't have to face each other on a battlefield.

There have been suggestions of a friendly soccer match between the two militaries. Yesterday morning, two Cambodian soldiers strayed over the Thai side of the border. They were briefly questioned but were permitted to return to the Cambodian side with gift baskets full of fruits and other goods.

It's not exactly raising glasses of champagne or wine in a toast to good relations, but nevertheless the Thai army's gesture should serve as a good lesson for the diplomats of the two countries.

It appears the top brass in both countries knows very well that the cost of a military clash would be too devastating for the people of both countries and the consequences too grave.

According to military sources, there is an understanding among the militaries on both sides of the border that the ongoing rift between the two governments is political in nature. Military commanders agree that some of it stems from historical baggage that the Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen carries against Thailand and the Democrat Party.

During his recent encounter with the press, Hun Sen dug up some old stuff and threw it in Thailand's face. The charges included Thailand's alleged support for former Khmer Rouge leaders.

While the role of Thailand - as well as China, Vietnam and many others - in relation to the Khmer Rogue should be scrutinised, we must do so by understanding the then Cambodian conflict in its proper context.

Southeast Asia was split along political lines that pitted Vietnamese-backed Indochina against the core Asean members. Everybody got blood on their hands, including Hun Sen, who got into politics when the current Thai premier was "running around playing" with other children.

Hun Sen may not care much for Abhisit, but his attitude towards Thailand is largely shaped by history. Thaksin's personal relations with Hun Sen, along with his promises of a brighter future, may have offered him a way to move bilateral ties forward. But the Democrats, rightly or wrongly, thought the price was too high - thus, the current predicament.

The two armies, on the other hand, appear to be trying to turn the page on this disturbing past that, as stated, pitted communist Indochina against others in the region. This is because the two militaries realise it's better to let bygones be bygones. No one stands to benefit from digging up the past, except the truth, of course.

[Thai] Gamblers steer clear as the chips are down

Visitors to Cambodia face tighter controls

13/11/2009
Bangkok Post

a military intelligence source said more than 80 soldiers attached to the [Cambodian] 51st Brigade had sneaked into Thailand and posed as workers at the Rong Kluea market to seek information on Thai movements

Gamblers and others crossing into Cambodia from Thailand are facing tighter controls as tensions between the two countries continue to rise.

Acting national police chief Pateep Tanprasert yesterday said he had told immigration officers on the border to be stricter in checking the papers of people crossing over.

Among those facing the tighter checks are Thai gamblers heading to casinos in Cambodia's Poi Pet township.

Tightened security was not affecting border trade yesterday.

Cambodian traders were still entering Chanthaburi to buy goods, although the price of Hom Mali rice bought by the Cambodians had risen from 18 baht a kilo to 25 baht.

Thai traders and fruit growers in Chanthaburi rallied yesterday in front of the provincial hall to call on the governor to take steps to protect them from a possible downturn in business as a result of the deterioration in relations between Thailand and Cambodia over Phnom Penh's appointment of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic adviser.

It was also business as usual in Sa Kaeo, as Cambodians entered Aranyaprathet district to buy food and household items at the Rong Kluea border market.

But the number of Thai gamblers heading to Poi Pet opposite Aranyaprathet was down.

Sub Lt Charn Wongwaimethi, head of a ranger unit attached to the Sa Kaeo-based Burapa Task Force, said two Cambodian soldiers crossed the border to buy food at the Rong Kluea market.

He said the soldiers were attached to a unit with the 51st Brigade, which had set up a base near Poi Pet airport in Banteay Meanchey province, about 10 kilometres across the border from Aranyaprathet.

Sub Lt Charn said he gave the soldiers 20kg of fruit as a gesture of friendship before they crossed back into Cambodia.

However, a military intelligence source said more than 80 soldiers attached to the 51st Brigade had sneaked into Thailand and posed as workers at the Rong Kluea market to seek information on Thai movements.

Army spokesman Sansern Kaewkamnerd said the sports day the army was organising in Si Sa Ket to ease tensions between the two countries was scheduled for Nov 21, not yesterday as earlier announced.

Col Sansern said he had confused the dates.

The games will bring together Thai and Cambodian soldiers stationed near the Preah Vihear temple on the border.

Games planned to ease border tensions

12/11/2009
Wassana Nanuam and Jakkrit Waewkraihong
Bangkok Post

Cambodian soldiers have been invited to join a sports day the army is organising in the border province of Si Sa Ket today to ease increasingly tense ties between the two countries.

An army source said army chief Anupong Paojinda issued an order on Tuesday morning for the 2nd Army to sponsor the sports day.

The games will be played by Thai and Cambodian soldiers stationed near the Preah Vihear temple on the border.

Residents of Phum Sarol village in tambon Sao Thongchai in Kantharalak district will also take part in the event.

The strained relations between Thailand and Cambodia over Phnom Penh's appointment of fugitive former premier Thaksin Shinawatra as economic adviser have placed the border situation under close watch.

The sports activities including volleyball and tug-of-war would brighten up the atmosphere, the source said.

The sports day is scheduled for today as Thaksin plans to deliver a talk as an economic adviser to the Cambodian government.

The sporting event is aimed at demonstrating that despite the presence of Thaksin in Cambodia and the downgraded diplomatic ties, the border atmosphere remained peaceful.

The Thai military invited the commander of Cambodia's 3rd supportive division, Lt Gen Sarai Duek, to lead a group of his troops to join the sports day.

Situation 'normal' on Thailand's border with Cambodia: Thai army chief

BANGKOK, Nov 11 (TNA) - Thai army chief Gen Anupong Paochinda affirmed on Wednesday that there has been no military movement along the Thai-Cambodian border by either side, but that in military terms the situation is not worrisome.

Gen Anupong said the military is closely monitoring the situation and avoiding cross-border confrontations after the arrival Tuesday in Phnom Penh of ousted Thai premier Thaksin Shinawatra to lecture Cambodian economists on his first assignment as economic adviser to the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen.

He declined to comment on the visit to the Cambodian capital by Mr Thaksin, saying only that as a former Thai prime minister he should know what is appropriate and what is not.

As for Mr Thaksin’s interview with the Times daily in London, considered deeply offensive to the Thai monarch, Gen Anupong said the army will instruct all military personnel to not to redistribute or discuss the article as doing so has legal implications and might cause further problems.

The situation remains normal on the Cambodian border, Army spokesman Col Sansern Kaewkamnerd reported, and no special instructions have been received from the government or given by Army chief Gen Anupong.

Col Sansern said the people of the two countries have crossed border to do their business as usual.

On Thursday, he said, there will be a friendly football match between Thai and Cambodian soldiers at Phoomsarol village in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province which borders Cambodia.

The Army spokesman said the Thai military on border duty are placed according the framework assigned earlier, but the diplomatic spat is the responsibility of the government to address.

The extradition bid is the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the armed forces has nothing to do with it, he said.

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday invited spokespersons from the army, air force and navy to be briefed on the diplomatic situation between Thailand and Cambodia and the government's stance on Mr Thaksin's interview with the Times newspaper, a report which is considered offensive to the Thai monarch, to clarify information about and understanding it.

The ministry earlier on Tuesday invited governors of seven provinces bordering Cambodia to be briefed on the situation and affirmed that despite implementation of diplomatic measures, relations between the two peoples would remain calm.

Soldiers, locals at Thai-Cambodian border in high spirits

NAKHON RATCHASIMA, Nov 9 (TNA) – The Thai-Cambodian border situation in Thailand’s northeastern province of Si Sa Ket near Preah Vihear temple remains normal, while soldiers and local residents are in high spirits despite some heightened tensions from the diplomatic spat.

According to Thailand's 2nd Army Region commander, Lt-Gen Weewalit Jornsamrit, there have been no incidents regarding the two neighbouring countries that would lead to violence or the use of arms.

Local residents of both countries also continued their daily activities along the border in Kantharalak district as usual.

Gen Weewalit said the Thai army chief, Gen Anupong Paochinda, receives regular updates on the situation.

As for Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen ordering troop redeployments from the Thai-Cambodian border near Preah Vihear temple, Gen Weewalit said he was following up on the issue. However, the Thai troops there have not been withdrawn.

Mr Hun Sen said earlier that the situation along the border is normal, quiet and he decided to withdraw the paratroop unit assigned to Preah Vihear to its camp and expects to complete the withdrawal in one week.

The 2nd Army Region commander also confirmed that relations between high-ranking Thai and Cambodian officials are good, following their last meeting.

Thai-Cambodia border remains normal: Thai commander

BANGKOK, Nov. 9 (Xinhua) -- The Thai-Cambodia border's situation has remained normal, Thai Army Region 2 Commander Lt Ben Veevarit Chornsamrit said Monday.

Thailand and Cambodia have downgraded diplomatic relations due to conflict over an appointment of ousted former Thai Premier Thaksin Shinawatra as an economic advisor to Cambodia's government on Nov. 4.

A day after the appointment, the Cambodian government recalled its ambassador to Thailand in a move to respond to the Thai government's recall of its ambassador to Cambodia.

However, the Thai-Cambodia border's situation has remained normal as by this time there was no factor to cause any border violence, Lt Ben Veevarit was quoted as saying by Thai News Agency.

The people at the border had also been living their lives normally, while the border trade was continuing as usual, he said.

The Thai commander said he has also kept reporting the border situation to Thailand's army chief General Anupong Paochinda.

Meanwhile, the relationship between Thai and Cambodian military was still good after a meeting with high-ranking military commanders of Cambodia last week, Lt Ben Veevarit said.

But, Capt Charn Wongwaimethee, the border police commander in A-ran-ya-pra-thet district in Thailand's northeastern province of Sa-gaew bordering Cambodia rejected reports that borders between the two countries would be closed.

Thai authorities at the border have assured Cambodian traders that they should not panic over the border closure's rumor.

Over the weekend, Prime Minister Hun Sen announced in Cambodia that Thaksin will visit Cambodia this week after he has been named as the country's economic adviser.

On Nov. 12, Thaksin will hold a briefing with over 300 Cambodian economic experts at the Ministry of Economy and Finance, Hun Sen said.

Thaksin was ousted by the military coup in September 2006, in accusation of corruption, and has been kept in exile since then.

He returned to Thailand in February 2008 to face corruption charges, but he later fled into exile again and was convicted in absentia.

Thai-Cambodian border situation normal despite diplomatic spat

SA KAEO, Nov 9 (TNA) - The Thai-Cambodian border situation in Thailand’s eastern provinces of Sa Kaeo and Chanthaburi remains normal, although some worried Cambodians have flocked to border markets in both Thai provinces to buy consumer goods due to fear of the checkpoints’ closure.

As Monday is Cambodian national day, many Cambodians crossed the Aranyaprathet checkpoint in Sa Kaeo to do their business at Ban Khlong Luek border market or Rong Kluea market in Thai territory, buying extra supplies such as vegetables, fruits and beverages.

However, Thai soldiers on the local site explained to tourists wanting to cross the border that the situation is still normal and there has been no decision to close the border.

Meanwhile, Chanthaburi Thai-Cambodian Border Trading Association chairman Isiwoot Tungkiat, said that the Khmer merchants crossed at the checkpoint for border trade in Chanthaburi’s Soi Dao district on Monday morning as usual.

However, following the two countries’ current diplomatic spat, less than 10 trucks carrying consumer goods crossed the border on Monday. Mr Isiwoot said this may be due to Cambodian traders deciding to order goods from Vietnam and China instead.

According to the chairman, there were usually several 10 trucks crossing the Chanthaburi checkpoint daily destined for the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, which is an important market for Thailand’s border trade. Goods ordered by traders in Phnom Penh are valued at several hundred millions of baht monthly.