Thai-Cambodia Trade: New Normal & Border Changes

Atmosphere around Dan Chong Chom Surin Province It’s quiet again after clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border for the second time in a year. Shops that were once bustling with the noise of people and trucks crossing the border. Today it is a row of buildings with closed windows. It’s like a deserted city that has been abandoned.

Not just around Dan Chong Chom. But this includes along the border where trade has been “suspended” since the Thai-Cambodian clashes this year, the first round 24-28 July 2025, but due to the ongoing tense situation. Until a second round of clashes occurred on December 7, 2025, and were more violent than the previous time. causing everything to “stop” except military movements

Value of Thai-Cambodian border trade It has decreased continuously since July. 68 and gradually decreased until there was almost no trade in October with a trade value of only 9 million baht, from the previous monthly trade value of over ten billion baht.

Border trade and border crossing information, Oct. 2025

Border trade and border crossing information in 2025 (Jan.-Oct.)

“Ramidakarn Saenklao” A wholesaler who has been doing business in the area for more than 10 years stands in a store that was once frequented by Cambodian customers. Today she no longer calculates profits. But calculate how much you will lose. And how long can the store be sustained?

“More than 90% of sales have disappeared. Now I have to use my own money to pay the wages of 7-8 employees,” she said without much hope. But I didn’t give up. “This is done to preserve employees. Because they have families to take care of.”

Two crises in one year

The unrest along the Thai-Cambodian border that erupted in December 2025 is not the first of this year. Previously in July There had been a major clash before. And when the event repeats itself Local entrepreneurs are beginning to realize that this is more than just a temporary crisis. But it could be a permanent turning point in the structure of the border economy.

Figures from the Federation of Thai Industries reflect the severity of the problem. Border trade that used to be worth 300,000 million baht per year in the first 10 months of 2025 shrank to only 95,554 million baht, a decrease of 36.68%. Trade activity has dropped by 99.5%, leaving only 0.5% of normal.

Kriengkrai Thiennukul, Chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries It is estimated that the border economy is losing income of not less than 500 million baht per day. Covering the trade, service, agriculture and employment sectors. The impact is not limited to border areas. But it spread to nearby provinces like Buriram where the economy shrank 10-15%.

traditional economy Can’t stay any longer

The economic structure of the southern Isan border covers Surin, Sisaket, Buriram and nearby provinces. Built on the foundation of cross-border trade Thailand exports fuel Consumer products and construction materials While fruit, wood and local goods are imported from Cambodia, seven key outposts are the lifeblood of the region’s economy.

But when stability becomes an uncertain factor Everything has changed

“Even if the checkpoint is open Trading is not the same as before. A wholesale business like this in this location cannot survive,” Ramidakarn said frankly. She clearly saw that even though the situation had returned to normal, A business structure that relies heavily on customers from Cambodia cannot continue.

The question is, what will you change? The answer isn’t easy.

Provincial Commerce that proposes to set up booths to sell products in other areas or reduce product prices But for wholesale businesses that sell in bulk There are high transportation and labor costs. Low profit per unit These alternatives are not practical.

“We did not expect any help from the government. The government already has an obligation to care for migrants, soldiers, and flood-prone areas. As for us, we are just thinking about how to help ourselves,” she said.

The business sector offers solutions. But I want more than money.

The private business sector gathered from the Thai-Cambodian Business Council, the Thai Chamber of Commerce, and representatives from 7 border provinces. Propose several assistance measures. Including low interest loans, debt suspension, and local tax reductions. Delay the increase in the minimum wage in border areas. and request that certain border crossing points be opened in special cases

But what they need more than that is to restore confidence. Meanwhile, Cambodia has measures to prohibit the import of vegetables, fruits, and oils from Thailand. along with a campaign against Thai products Many operators have had to change their names and brands to avoid attacks. while products from competing countries take their place

“Suphajee Suthumphan” Minister of Commerce Try to help by organizing a Blue Flag event to release border products. Coordinate with department stores and local department stores to find new distribution channels. Ready to coordinate with SME D Bank and EXIM Bank to provide loans and working capital.

But these are only temporary relief. It is not a treatment for disease.

“Triangular border” that cannot be developed

Thanachet Wisaichorn from Ubon Ratchathani University who has continued to study border issues Call this area “Triangular Border” or Triple Border, although it has geographic potential But it cannot be developed into an economic area like the Golden Triangle in the north.

“Where has the plan to turn the battlefield into a trading field gone? Why doesn’t this area move in the same direction?” he questioned.

One problem he points out is that landmines from past conflicts have not yet been fully cleared. Even though more than 30 years have passed, “Just walking in some areas, I still don’t know whether I’ll step on an old landmine or not. Even though the entire loan has not yet been collected. And lately, new things have been buried.”

Interesting in Ubon Ratchathani Province Although there is no permanent checkpoint with Cambodia But it turns out that more Cambodians come to receive medical care than Laotians. Because of the potential of large hospitals and medical schools Many shops around the hospital have signs in Cambodian. The owner of the rental house accepts Cambodian customers who come to stay while they are undergoing treatment.

But after the unrest situation These atmospheres became quieter. Stores reported that extra income was lost. Although there has been no official numerical survey yet, But the impact is clearly visible.

The wound is deeper than you think.

“Imagine if you drove from Siem Reap. Passed through the checkpoint. Stop at a gas station Use a foreign language Has a foreign license plate Will people in the area easily forget? It’s a deep wound,” said Thanachet. Using the example of Sisaket Province which was attacked by a BM21 rocket.

A deep sense of paranoia runs deep in border communities. And it will take a long time for the economy to recover. Even though the checkpoint is open again

He pointed out that completely cutting ties with Cambodia is impossible. Especially in the field of medical care “Even if there is still conflict But in the end, I had to come back anyway. People with money will choose the best option.” But at the same time Social wounds from violence do not easily disappear.

For the government’s attitude Professor Thanachet sees that “the longer it drags on, the more the government will be hurt.” The cost of prolongation is not just on the battlefield. But it falls on the people. Especially villagers who had to evacuate and were unable to return to take care of their homes, property, and pets that were the “banks” of the poor.

The exit that no one knows is where it is?

Changing the structure of the border economy is not something that will happen overnight. Experts believe that after the clash The structure will change from relying on traditional cross-border trade to a more diversified one. Entrepreneurs will increasingly turn to trading within the country. The agricultural sector will adjust to producing for the domestic market and exporting alternatives, such as through Laos.

But for “Ramidakan” and many entrepreneurs who have large wholesale businesses Adjusting is not easy. She has no plans to expand or change the business. Because the economic conditions are not conducive and starting over requires a high investment.

All she can do is keep the shop afloat. To retain 7-8 employees who have worked with her for a long time “Everyone takes care of each other first,” she said.

However, she sees direct measures to help the people, such as individual financial assistance. It may help stimulate purchasing power in the area. “If the villagers have money He went out to buy things. Every store can benefit. It’s not just our store.”

Lessons for the future

The story of Dan Chong Chom reflects the fragility of an economy built on cross-border relationships. When stability becomes an uncertain variable Everything can fall apart overnight.

Changing the economic structure is not just about issuing policies or aid measures. But it is a process that takes time. It requires cooperation from all sectors and, most importantly, requires understanding that each entrepreneur has different contexts and limitations.

As of today, shops around Dan Chong Chom are still quiet. Ramidakan still takes out personal money to pay employees’ wages. I don’t know how long I can do this. I don’t know if trade will return to the way it was before. But there’s one thing she knows for sure. Even though no one came to help She will keep trying for as long as she can.

Because that’s all you can do right now.​​​​​​​​​​

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