New Thailand to Cambodia road and visa checkpoint will increase commerce

The decision was made at the ASEAN Summit meeting. Local business owners at the Jom Tong permanent border checkpoint in Dan Sub-District, Karbcherng District, Surin Province were happy after they heard news that prime minister Abhisit Vejjajiva had informed the Cambodia prime minister Hun Sein that the Thai government will be giving Cambodia assistance in improving the 113 kilometer- Road No. 68. The decision was made at the ASEAN Summit meeting.

The road will begin at the Jom Tong permanent border checkpoint in Dan Sub-District, Karbcherng District, Surin Province, passing through O-samed Sub-District in Samrong District, Udon Meechai Province and will end at Kolan City in Siemrat Province in Cambodia. Previously, the administration of Samak Sundaravej had passed a 1.4 billion baht-budget aimed at helping the Cambodia government to improve this road. However, due to the Preah Vihear dispute between the two countries, there has not been any progress on the project.

Locals on both sides of the border said that over the last forty years, though there has been transportation between the two districts, it has been difficult. Once Road No. 68 is completed, they believe that it will boost trade between the two countries as well as improve transportation.

Commerce Director of Surin, Sittiporn Bangkaew, revealed that the monthly exports through the Jom Tong permanent border checkpoint are worth over 70 million baht, with most of the goods being food and oil.