Cambodians rush to stockpile Thai fuel and bottled water after Hun Sen's announcement
Hun Sen has challenged Thailand to send Cambodian workers back and criticised the Thai opposition's proposal to cut oil exports to Cambodia. PHOTO: REUTERS
PHNOM PENH - Several Cambodian nationals continue to smuggle Thai products into Cambodia, including bottled water and energy drinks, following former Senate President Hun Sen's recent Facebook post.
According to Khmer Times, Hun Sen has challenged Thailand to send Cambodian workers back and criticised the Thai opposition's proposal to cut oil exports to Cambodia, claiming it could lead to self-destruction.
He also threatened to suspend the import of all canned goods from Thailand, including alcoholic beverages and energy drinks, as well as all types of canned fish and meat.
A Cambodian national told Nation TV that Thai bottled water tastes better than the one available in Poipet, with many trying to smuggle water by hiding it, as Cambodian police only allow two packs to be imported per day.
According to a Thai vendor, the reason for buying water from Thailand is because it is cleaner and cheaper. Bottled water in Poipet is more expensive, selling at 20 baht (S$0.78) per bottle due to the lack of local production facilities, the vendor explained.
Regarding fuel, a Thai worker in Cambodia revealed that the country currently requires large amounts of fuel to generate electricity, both in government offices and hotels, which has driven up fuel prices.
In Poipet, petrol stations are owned by Cambodians who purchase fuel from PTT in Thailand. Therefore, if Thailand halts fuel exports, it would significantly affect Cambodia, the worker said.
Furthermore, after electricity was cut from the Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Poipet now experiences frequent power outages, damaging electrical appliances, and people in Poipet have resorted to using generators instead.
Due to rising fuel prices, Cambodians are driving to Thailand to fill their tanks and transport fuel back in 200-litre drums daily. In Thailand, 95-octane petrol costs 41.54 baht per litre, while in Poipet, it is 50 baht. Diesel in Thailand costs 31.94 baht, compared to 40 baht in Cambodia.
A source from the immigration office confirmed that if the border is closed, it would impact over 30,000 Cambodian workers who are employed at Rong Kluea Market in Sa Kaeo. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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