Thailand suspends bus services to Cambodia amid border restrictions

The state-run Transport Company has suspended its daily bus services from Bangkok to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia, effective today, citing border crossing restrictions.

The company operates a round trip service each day from Bangkok to the two Cambodian cities, leaving Bangkok at 9am for Siem Reap, heading back to Bangkok at 9am, and leaving Bangkok for Phnom Penh at 8am, returning to Bangkok the same day at 8am.

The 419-km journey to Siem Reap costs 750 baht, while the trip to Phnom Penh, which is 719km, costs 900 baht.

Meanwhile, the Thai army reports that it has briefed the military attaches of 42 countries, who are based in Bangkok, on the recent border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.

Thai villagers living near the Cambodian border, in Phnom Dongrak district of Surin province said, today that they feel more relaxed now that Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to pull their troops back, to reduce the risk of another confrontation.

They said they are not, however, lowering their guard, while some continue to dig trenches or build bunkers for their own safety.

Sayam Saenkaew, the village head of Ban Nong Kanna, said the villagers have experienced war before, in 1986 and 2001, when they had to take cover in bunkers.

The village school remains open though, and about 400 students are attending classes as normal, said Sayam.