Border crossing restriction eased for Cambodian students in Sa Kaeo

The Thai military has eased restrictions at four border checkpoints in Sa Kaeo province, to allow about 2,000 Cambodian children, living in Thailand, to return Cambodia to attend daily classes.

Pol Col Napattharapong Supaporn, the immigration chief of Sa Kaeo province, said that the relaxation of crossing restrictions for the students is for humanitarian reasons and to maintain the good relationship between the peoples of the two countries.

He also said that the students do not need border passes.

The easing of the restrictions is effective from today, between 6am and 8am and 5pm to 8pm, to allow the students to attend classes and to return home to Sa Kaeo.

The four border crossings are at Klong Luek, Ban Nong Prue and Ban Khao Din in Aranyaprathet and Ban Ta Phraya in Ta Phraya district.

Napattharapong added that other people, including tourists and student’s parents, can cross the border from 9am until 4pm.

On Saturday, the Thai military imposed border crossing restrictions on checkpoints in Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Sa Kaeo provinces, as border tensions escalated following the May 28th clash between Thai and Cambodian forces in the Chong Bok pass in Ubon Ratchathani, during which one Cambodian soldier was killed.