The number of Cambodian workers and vendors crossing daily into Thailand to sell their goods is down by 1,000 to 2,000 people since Thai authorities began conducting full-body searches of each migrant last month.
Thai border police began searching those who entered Thailand to stem the flow of drugs into their country, but their actions raised complaints among Cambodian workers and officials, said Bun Hor, chief of Poipet international checkpoint, on Thursday.
“Some do not want to cross into Thailand because they are strictly checking Cambodians,” he said.
“Thai authorities are discriminating while the Cambodian side does not treat other nationalities with such bad actions,” he added.
Before the searches began, about 4,000 to 6,000 people entered Thailand to do business in the Thai border market and work at other jobs, but today, that number has decreased to about 3,000, Bun Hor said.
“People are not happy when they are checked over their entire bodies by Thai authority. It affects their feelings,” he added.
Cambodian vendors may begin selling in Cambodia, rather than in the Thai markets, Bun Hor said, adding that construction on an international market in Poipet commune began last year, and about 70 percent of it is finished.
Pich Saran, immigration police chief, said most Cambodian vendors open shops in Thailand because their cheaper Cambodian goods attract Thai customers.
Regarding the body checks, he said: “It is Thai’s duty. I have no idea about their action, but most people do not want them to treat them like this,” he said.
In Koh Kong province, authorities said Thai officials are not conducting body searches and checks are only conducted on those suspected of possessing drugs.
“Thai and Cambodian authorities will only check the suspects who traffic drugs. Visitors are not treated like bad people,” Saing Sakhun, a Cham Yeam international checkpoint official, said on Thursday.
