Border Closure Strangles Thai Fruit Trade: Vendors Face Ruin

Border Closure Cripples Fruit Trade in Chanthaburi; Vendors Urge for Reopening The closure of the border crossing between Thailand and Cambodia has dealt a severe blow to fruit vendors in the Baan Laem market of Chanthaburi province. With the border shut, tons of fresh produce, including mangosteens and durians, are rotting, causing significant financial losses for the vendors. "We brought our goods to the market before the border was closed," explains one vendor, her voice heavy with despair. "Now, everything is spoiling, and we are losing thousands of baht." The situation is dire, with many vendors facing potential bankruptcy. The video shows mountains of unsold fruit, a stark visual representation of the economic hardship faced by these small business owners. The vendors are not only losing their income but also the investment they made in purchasing and transporting their produce. They are appealing to both the Thai and Cambodian governments to resolve the border dispute quickly and allow the resumption of cross-border trade. While the Thai side of the border remains open for pedestrian traffic, Cambodian authorities have restricted the passage of trucks carrying agricultural goods. This has left Thai fruit vendors with no means of exporting their perishable products, leading to mounting losses. The incident underscores the vulnerability of small businesses to geopolitical events and highlights the importance of stable cross-border trade for regional economies. The vendors’ plight serves as a potent reminder of the human cost of such disputes.