Thai business people in Cambodia not affected by border clashes: minister

May 01, 2011

Xinhua

The majority of Thai business people in Cambodia have not been affected by the Thai-Cambodian border clashes, according to the Thai Minister of Commerce, Thai National News Bureau report on Saturday.

Thai Minister of Commerce Pornthiva Nakasai said she had checked with the Thai commercial counselor of the Thai embassy in Cambodia and found that Thai business activities were carrying on normally despite a series of artillery exchanges at the Thai- Cambodian border.

According to the minister, most of the Thai businesses in Cambodia are located opposite the northeastern Thai provinces of Sa Kaeo and Trat while the clashes usually take place in Surin and Buri Ram provinces.

Nevertheless, Pornthiva said she has assigned the commercial counselor to monitor the situation very closely in order to make ready assistance for the private sector if it is requested.

The exchange of fires between Thai and Cambodian troops along the border in Surin province have restarted on April 22 and continued to Friday morning, according to local media.

At least 7 Thais were killed and more than 80 others were injured during the clashes.