Border restrictions could cost Thailand Bt60bn if they continue

Thailand’s exports to Cambodia in the second half of this year may drop by about 60 billion baht if border crossing restrictions persist through the end of the year, said Arada Fuangthong, director general of the Foreign Trade Department, on Friday.

She said the damage to Thai-Cambodian border trade is estimated at an average of 14.5 billion baht per month, including exports worth about 11 billion baht and imports worth 2.7 billion baht.

Exports affected by the restrictions include vegetables, fruit, consumer goods, and industrial products, while imports include tapioca and certain industrial goods. The value of bilateral trade is now expected to decline by 1%, reversing the previously projected 2% growth, said Arada.

Last year, bilateral trade totaled over 366 billion baht, including 170 billion baht from land border trade. However, in the first five months of this year, bilateral trade was estimated at 160 billion baht, with 80 billion baht from land trade.

Top Thai exports to Cambodia include jewelry, ornaments, refined oil products, sugar, beverages, and chemicals. Key imports from Cambodia include vegetables, fruit, vegetable-based seasoning, minerals, garments, gems, and cables.

Meanwhile, Kriangkrai Thiennukul, president of the Federation of Thai Industries, stated that the ongoing border dispute and crossing restrictions are damaging border trade, which is currently estimated at around 500 million baht per day.