TRAT: Businesses along the border are calling for urgent government intervention as they struggle to survive in the face of prolonged closures of key checkpoints as a result of ongoing tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. Previously, Trat Mankong Co generated millions of baht each month from exporting construction materials, but revenues have now fallen to zero. He said there has been no concrete government assistance, while businesses continue to struggle with fixed costs such as salaries and loan repayments. In the short term, he urged the government to allocate special budgets directly to border tambon administrative organisations, suggesting 100 million baht annually for each border tambon from Ubon Ratchathani to Trat, excluding Sa Kaeo. In the long term, he urged the government to accelerate diplomatic negotiations and coordinate with provincial authorities and the Ministry of Interior to draft economic recovery plans, stressing that border communities should not bear the economic burden alone.

Source: Bangkok Post February 27, 2026 04:58 UTC