Thailand-Cambodia clashes halt trade in Thai border town

China

Thailand-Cambodia clashes halt trade in Thai border town

2025-07-27 15:25 Last Updated At：07-28 00:27

The ongoing deadly border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia has completely halted trade activities in the northeastern Thai province of Surin and forced the locals to take cover inside bunkers.

Cross-border trade in Surin, estimated at over nine million U.S. dollars per month before the clashes, has now come to a total standstill, taking away the only source of income for many residents, according to the provincial chamber of commerce.

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Thailand-Cambodia clashes halt trade in Thai border town

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Thailand-Cambodia clashes halt trade in Thai border town

The armed conflict, which entered its third day on Saturday, has led to the closure of what was once one of the busiest and most strategic checkpoints in a border town in Surin. This gateway to trade, tourism, and cross-border livelihoods has now turned into a battleground.

A China Global Television Network (CGTN) crew on Saturday ventured into the Thai border town, where constant explosions and the specter of wider conflict have shuttered nearly all stores, forced the locals to shelter in bunkers, and left streets deserted with no sign of life.

The key border checkpoint, which would normally be packed with people and trucks loaded with goods on weekends, has now become a "red zone."

At one bunker not far away from the checkpoint, locals took turns being on the lookout, for drones, rockets, or any other threats that could come their way.

"We eat and sleep here, all 30 of us. It's been four days, three nights. It's so scary. It's so loud. When the explosions come, we would grab some food and just stay here in this bunker," Sa Saladaeng, a local villager, told the CGTN, as she sought refuge along with others.

Wirat Settapattanachai, chairman of the Surin Chamber of Commerce, said cross-border trade between Thailand and Cambodia had been the lifeline for this province, but the eruption of the clashes has changed everything and made life difficult for the locals.

"Trade between the Thai and Cambodian borders in Surin Province is worth about 300 million baht (about 9.25 million U.S. dollars) per month. When the border was closed on July 23, trade disappeared. Many have lost all their income because they make a living by trading on the border. When there is no trade, they will have no job. There is no income at all. It's difficult for them," he said.

Since the armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers over their disputed border areas broke out on Thursday, more than 30 people have been killed from both sides, and more than 100,000 people have been evacuated to safe locations, according to figures provided by the two countries.

Both sides have accused each other of violating international law and opening fire first.

Global food prices rise for 2nd consecutive month in March amid Middle East conflict: FAO

Global food commodity prices climbed for a second consecutive month in March, driven mainly by higher energy costs linked to escalating conflict in the Middle East, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) said in report released on Friday.

The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks monthly changes in the international prices of a basket of globally traded food commodities, averaged 128.5 points in March, up 2.4 percent from February and 1.0 percent above its level a year ago.

According to the report, the FAO Vegetable Oil Index and Sugar Price Index showed the largest increases, up 5.1 percent and 7.2 percent, respectively.

The FAO Cereal Price Index increased by 1.5 percent from the previous month, driven primarily by higher world wheat prices, which rose 4.3 percent.

The FAO Meat Price Index rose by 1.0 percent from the previous month, and the FAO All-Rice Price Index declined by 3.0 percent in March, according to the report.

FAO stated that rising energy and fertilizer prices have been driving up agricultural input costs.

If the conflict stretches beyond 40 days, farmers will have to choose to farm the same with fewer inputs, plant less, or switch to less intensive fertilizer crops, according to FAO Chief Economist Maximo Torero.

These choices will hit future yields and shape food supply and commodity prices for the rest of this year and beyond, Torero said.