Border business in O’Smach

It was a big gamble for Khun Savy, travelling hundreds of kilometres and spending thousands of Thai baht for broker fees and bribes he said he paid to be smuggled into Thailand. At the O’Smach International Border Checkpoint in Oddar Meanchey province, the 29-year-old was one of 12 people waiting anxiously for a bus he said would take him safely past police to the promise of a better income across the border. “I decided to pay money to the broker because he has guaranteed me that he would provide me a job as a construction worker in Thailand, and I will also be safe travelling into Thailand,” he said, adding the deal cost him 3,000 baht (US$98). Motorbike taxi drivers who swarmed around the checkpoint said Khun Savy is one of thousands of job-seekers who bribe their way through the checkpoint every year. One of those motorbike drivers, Sao Kheng, was familiar with the 100 baht bribe Khun Savy says he paid for his dubious job prospect in Thailand, but alleged police extort even more from those who escape trafficking once they get there. These allegations were denied by O’Smach International Border Checkpoint deputy chief Ngoy Chieng, who said no one is trafficked into Thailand at the crossing. …

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