188,000 evacuees urged to stay in shelters
Interior permanent secretary Unsit Sampuntharat said a total of 188,734 people have been evacuated to 770 shelters in seven provinces bordering Cambodia due to the recent border skirmishes.
In Si Sa Ket, there are 82,021 people in 435 shelters; Surin has 55,898 in 130 shelters; Buri Ram has 24,480 in 112 shelters; Ubon Ratchathani has 21,838 in 68 shelters; Sa Kaeo has 2,652 in 13 shelters; Trat has 1,621 in eight shelters; and Chanthaburi has 224 in four shelters.
Mr Unsit said he had been instructed by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to order all provincial governors and district chiefs to communicate clearly with evacuees that they must remain in designated shelters until official clearance is issued regarding their safety.
Authorities were also told to provide sufficient supplies of food, drinking water, and daily necessities to evacuees. Donation centres have been opened in affected provinces to receive aid from the public to support those in need.
"Once the security agencies confirm it is safe to return, the government will coordinate with relevant agencies to assist citizens in returning to their homes," Mr Unsit added.
Meanwhile, at the Ban Laem and Ban Phak Kad checkpoints in Pong Nam Ron district, Chanthaburi, thousands of Cambodian nationals have continued to cross the border back into Cambodia, citing uncertainty about the security situation, despite the ceasefire agreement between Thai and Cambodian forces.
Although the daily volume of returnees has decreased, many Cambodians are still lining up each day to return home. The Ban Laem checkpoint opened as usual at 9am, with regular immigration and special processing lanes operating smoothly.
At the Ban Phak Kad checkpoint, the number of crossings dropped from several thousand the previous day to only a few hundred Tuesday.
One Cambodian worker said that while his hometown was closer to Ban Laem, he chose to cross at Ban Phak Kad to avoid overcrowding. He welcomed the ceasefire efforts but remained unconvinced they would last. Also Tuesday, the Election Commission voted to postpone indefinitely the by-election for Constituency 5 in Si Sa Ket, scheduled for Aug 10.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bangkok Post
2 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Govt requests no observers at GBC meet
Thailand has turned down Cambodia's request to include international observers at the upcoming General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, insisting it remains a bilateral affair. The talks, originally set to take place in Phnom Penh, will now be held in Malaysia from Aug 4–7. Deputy Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit, who also serves as director of the Thai-Cambodian Border Situation Special Operations Centre, confirmed the relocation on Friday, citing rising anti-Thai sentiment in Cambodia as the reason. "Recent public remarks by Cambodian officials could incite hostility. A neutral venue like Malaysia is more appropriate," he said. Gen Nattaphon said the move was not due to mistrust but about ensuring the safety of the Thai delegation and preventing unrest. "Security concerns for our delegates were a major factor in this decision," he said. Cambodia accepted the change following diplomatic consultations via the Thai military attaché in Phnom Penh. Gen Nattaphon noted that the extended three-day schedule, up from a single day, reflects the expanded agenda. Further extensions, or postponements, may be made if progress stalls in order to protect national interests, he added. Although declining to reveal the exact goals of the negotiations, Gen Nattaphon said the talks aim to avoid escalating civilian tensions. He also refused to confirm whether the disputed Ta Kwai temple area would be discussed, citing the need for discretion. Gen Nattaphon said it was unnecessary to have neutral observers attend. "This is a bilateral meeting, unlike the previous ceasefire negotiations, which involved external mediation." However, Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Lt Gen Maly Socheata said Defence Minister Gen Tea Seiha had proposed that Malaysia, the United States, and China attend the GBC meeting as observers, citing their involvement in the July 28 ceasefire mediation. "We sincerely hope this meeting will be constructive and fruitful," Lt Gen Maly added.
Bangkok Post
2 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Adding up the list of Thai concessions
Negotiations with the US that concluded with a 19% tariff on Thai exports were broadly focused on trade concessions. What did Thailand offer to secure the 19% rate? The US reciprocal tariff rate on Thai exports dropped from a threat of 36%, effective starting on Thursday, in exchange for several significant Thai concessions. Thailand proposed eliminating import duties for more than 10,000 items imported from the US (out of roughly 11,000 items in total), mostly consisting of goods that are not produced domestically or are insufficiently produced, such as medical instruments, advanced auto parts, and specialised food products. Thailand also reduced non-tariff barriers, streamlining customs procedures and implementing a "post-clearance audit" system, while simplifying regulations to facilitate US imports. In addition, the country committed to purchase liquefied natural gas from the US, as well as crude oil, ethane, aircraft, and agricultural products that Thailand does not produce or produces insufficiently, such as animal feed corn. The goal is to reduce the trade surplus of more than $35 billion by half within five years. A major focus of the talks was stricter rules of origin, with Thailand adopting more rigorous rules of origin for export products to prevent the country being used to circumvent US tariffs, especially for transshipment of Chinese goods. The US plans to implement its new rules of origin worldwide. The specific details remain unclear, but the US wants to prevent circumvention of import tariffs by third countries. Thailand is also increasing quotas for the import of US corn, while lowering import duties for soybeans. However, Thailand retained tariffs on sensitive products, or those that would impact domestic farmers. In terms of regional security cooperation, Thailand committed to increased efforts, especially regarding de-escalating border tensions with Cambodia. There were no discussions on granting gas concession rights or military base access to the US. The Trump administration said it had concerns over market access, trade imbalances and investment, while Thailand wanted continued protection for its most vital domestic industries.
Bangkok Post
3 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Tariff of 19% dubbed 'good news'
Despite great relief following the announcement of a 19% US tariff rate on Thai exports on Friday, the business sector remains fraught with concerns, particularly over the plight of Thai small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the agricultural sector. WAKE-UP CALL Piti Tantakasem, chief executive of TMBThanachart Bank, posted on Friday on his Facebook page that the tariff agreements the US is pursuing globally are reshaping the trade landscape from one based on free trade to a model of conditional trade, with a clear effort to exclude China from international supply chains. In this new scenario, the traditional rules of global trade will no longer apply, he said. Regarding Thailand's agricultural sector, which has long been a tool used in domestic politics, Mr Piti said it faces serious challenges from global powers with fully integrated, high-tech agricultural systems, capable of penetrating even the most entrenched political protections. "If Thailand sees the '19% deal' as a victory and is content with it, this could be 'The Beginning of the End'. But if we take it as a wake-up call to rethink and reform, then this marks 'The New Beginning'," he wrote. Mr Piti emphasised the need for Thailand to re-strategise by shifting the focus of the Board of Investment (BoI). Rather than simply measuring foreign direct investment, the BoI should prioritise building and enhancing national capabilities. He argued that Thailand's manufacturing sector must evolve, from being the "factory of the world" to developing innovative products that are uniquely Thai. Mr Piti urged Thailand to strengthen its domestic supply chains and promote authentic Thai goods to gain a competitive edge in government procurement, meet private sector demand and drive domestic consumption. He also called for clearer distinctions between legitimate businesses and grey-market enterprises, encouraging support for Thai companies that uphold good governance and social responsibility. "This is an opportunity to change, rethink and reform Thailand. This is a new beginning to make Thailand relevant again," said Mr Piti. SUPPORT MEASURES Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce and the Thai Board of Trade, expressed optimism about Thailand's competitiveness in the region, bolstered by tariff rates now aligned with other Southeast Asian nations. However, he emphasised the urgent need for government measures to support Thai entrepreneurs in adapting to the new US tariff regime. These measures should focus on advancing technology, financing, marketing and trade innovation to help businesses penetrate new markets, said Mr Poj. He also urged Thailand to heed the 40% transshipment rate, warning of penalties if Thai exports are found to violate it. Certain Thai products may face increased scrutiny and Mr Poj called for clearer definitions of regional value content across various product categories. In parallel, he called for the government to formulate strategies to manage rising imports from the US, especially in sectors that may be vulnerable to increased competition. "The chamber believes further negotiations can secure more favourable terms," said Mr Poj. "We hope Team Thailand continues to advocate strongly for the interests of Thai businesses." He also advised exporters to promptly adjust their shipping schedules and cost structures to mitigate the impact of the new tariffs. The private sector stands ready to collaborate with the government, especially in supporting industries likely to be affected by import shifts under evolving regional value chains, said Mr Poj. TOUGH TASKS AHEAD Thai entrepreneurs need to enhance their competitiveness to brace for intensifying competition despite the agreement on a lower tariff rate on Thai exports similar to regional peers, said the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI). While the months-long negotiation with US authorities ended, Thai manufacturers that export to the US need to adapt to the new tariff rules set by the Trump administration. "It is good news amid challenges," said Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the FTI. The 19% tariff is acceptable because none of the Southeast Asian exporting nations gains an advantage for shipments to the US, he said. However, entrepreneurs with profit margins of less than 10% need to do more homework, said Mr Kriengkrai. "These manufacturers need to reduce costs, increase productivity and talk with their trading partners to avoid passing the financial burden on to consumers," he said. Other companies with high margins should not be significantly affected by the tariffs, said Mr Kriengkrai. Though changes in US policy are expected to disrupt trade, Thai entrepreneurs should take this as an opportunity to lift their competitiveness, he said. One concern is the influx of products redirected to Asian markets due to US tariffs, hampering manufacturers in the region, said an executive in the electrical appliance sector who requested anonymity. Thai manufacturers are advised to adopt more technologies to enhance production processes and reduce costs, said Mr Kriengkrai. "We also need to seek alternative markets other than the US by forging new partnerships," he said. The FTI asked the government to help businesses access financial sources at a time when they face costlier exports. Thai farmers also need help if the government is allowing more imports of US crops in exchange for the 19% tariff rate, said Tanit Sorat, vice-chairman of the Employers' Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry. BURDEN FOR SMES Supree Thongpetch, chairman of the Thai Small and Medium Enterprise Council, which represents 80 member associations, said more than 2 million Thai SMEs that export to the US will face challenges based on the new tariff. He said many of these small businesses rely on online platforms such as eBay and Amazon to sell their products, often avoiding import duties since they typically export in smaller quantities. Their products range from maternity and baby clothing to aroma and spa items. The US currently applies low tariffs or exemptions for certain goods with existing purchase orders. However, the increase to a 19% tariff could put these businesses at a disadvantage as they may struggle with rising costs and lose their competitiveness, said Mr Supree.
