Poipet Vendors Protest Corrupt Border Officials
More than 800 street vendors and drivers of taxis, tuk-tuks and motorcycles working the border area between Banteay Meanchey province and Thailand yesterday marched through Poipet City calling for an end to the rampant corruption being carried out by border officials. … Migrant workers who cross the border daily have had to pay larger and larger bribes over the past years, [Cambodia Informal Economy Reinforced Association director ] Mr. [Den] Puthy said, adding that the practice had negatively impacted the livelihoods of the street vendors, who make a living selling food and second hand goods at Thai markets. … Up until 2008, Mr. Puthy said, a day pass to cross into Long Keur market in Thailand’s Sa Keo province was 1,000 reil, or about $0.25. The same amount is now charged for each border crossing, in addition to a fee for issuing immigration cards, which the Thai and Cambodian governments agreed on in late 2008. Border officials demand 220 Thai Baht, or about $7, for issuing the immigration cards which are supposed to be free of charge. …
