Latest news with #Thai-CambodianGeneralBorderCommittee
Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Forward bookings dip amid border row
Foreign forward bookings for Thailand have started to feel the pinch due to the Thai-Cambodian border tensions, according to the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), while Chanthaburi tourism operators reported cancellations from foreign tourists for the remainder of the year. Tourism operators urged the government to offer relief measures for affected businesses in the seven border provinces, such as tax reductions. While the border dispute eased following a meeting of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee in Malaysia, the tourism outlook in the border provinces remains uncertain. TAT governor Thapanee Kiatphaibool said data from ForwardKeys, an air traffic data company, showed forward bookings for flights in August slowed due to the border skirmishes. As of July 29, bookings for August were down 2.7% year-on-year from 675,551 bookings during the corresponding period in 2024. On July 21, before the border clashes, bookings for August indicated a 0.4% uptick to 564,281. Regarding domestic tourism, she said the 300,000 privileges for major tourism cities under the co-payment scheme were fully redeemed. For the overall scheme, 406,326 of the 500,000 total privileges have been booked, with 93,570 privileges for second-tier provinces remaining. Poompat Tangcharoensiri, president of the Chanthaburi Tourism Association, said European tourists planning to visit the province from September to December have already cancelled their plans. He said tourists feared for their safety, although prime beach destinations and the city district are located 60-70 kilometres and 40km from the border, respectively, while locals continue with their daily lives in the city as usual. The best-case scenario sees average occupancy in Chanthaburi of 40% in August, particularly for hotels located near the beach, said Mr Poompat. However, most hotels are expected to record only 20-30% occupancy for the month. Bookings for the upcoming Mother's Day should pick up, but may severely drop after the holiday passes, he said. "The government and the province have failed to effectively publicise the practices that locals and tourists can follow in Chanthaburi during martial law," said Mr Poompat. On Monday, the association, the Tourism Council of Chanthaburi and the TAT's Chanthaburi office held a meeting on how to stimulate tourism and help operators in the province, he said. They suggested relief measures, such as offering annual tax reductions for employees and tourism operators in Chanthaburi and six other border provinces. These proposals will be submitted to the provincial joint public-private consultative committee later this month, said Mr Poompat. Chatchaipat Sararam, president of the Tourism Council of Buri Ram, said tourists avoided the province, resulting in only 10% occupancy. He said hotels in the Muang district are still open and receiving some locals who evacuated from risk areas near the border to seek temporary stays. Hotels are offering heavy room discounts to help them, while also reducing staff working hours to save on costs. Mr Chatchaipat said guest numbers should increase next week if locals return home for the Mother's Day holiday, while the province is holding events to boost tourism and spending. The border dispute has affected sports tourism in Buri Ram, as sports fans have delayed their plans to visit the province, he said. Mr Chatchaipat said the government should lift domestic travel through tax incentives for visiting or holding meetings in the border provinces.
The Star
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Phumtham admits tighter scrutiny after arrest of Cambodian soldier suspected of espionage
BANGKOK: Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai acknowledged an increase in security measures following the arrest of a Cambodian soldier suspected of espionage in Thailand. Phumtham's statement came after officers from Lamduan Police Station apprehended a Cambodian soldier from the elite Bodyguard Headquarters (BHQ) unit in Buri Ram. The suspect, identified as Win, a 36-year-old Cambodian man, was arrested during a police raid at his home in the Ban Khok Sung Moo 9 community. He had been living with his 27-year-old Thai wife, Joy. During the search, authorities discovered a firearm and several military uniforms, including those marked with the BHQ insignia. Police suspect that Win had been gathering military intelligence for Cambodia. In response to the arrest, Phumtham explained that authorities are already addressing the matter, as the growing number of similar incidents has raised concerns. While the facts remain unconfirmed, he noted that the suspicious nature of the situation warrants heightened scrutiny. Phumtham confirmed that the government had decided to enforce stricter controls, particularly concerning drones. He clarified that only agricultural zones outside the seven border provinces would be allowed to request drone permits on a case-by-case basis. He stressed that, given the uncertainty around Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) negotiations, extra caution was necessary during this period. When questioned about the recent seizure of over 200 drones from a company in Samut Prakan, Phumtham stated that the authorities had already made arrests, and the investigation was ongoing. The arrest took place on Tuesday (Aug 5), and he noted that the National Police Chief had provided a report on the matter. - The Nation/ANN
Bangkok Post
5 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Border truce talks ongoing in Malaysia
Thailand has made an eight-point proposal aimed at sustaining the previously reached truce with Cambodia during the second day of preliminary talks of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) in Malaysia. The government's ad hoc Thai-Cambodian border situation management centre, also referred to as Team Thailand, on Tuesday said via Facebook that both sides had agreed in principle on certain parts of the Thai proposal before noon, Kuala Lumpur local time. "For those issues yet to be agreed, both sides will discuss them further this afternoon," read the Facebook post. Earlier in the day, Deputy Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit, who is also serving as acting defence minister and representing Thailand in the absence of a defence minister in the GBC's main meeting set for Thursday, said the Cambodian team did not come up with many proposals during the secretariat-level meeting. He added that it was normal for Cambodia to want to hear from Thailand first. The secretariat-level talks have been held from Monday until Wednesday and precede the main session scheduled for Thursday. Gen Nattaphon said the eight-point proposal is the follow-up to the seven pre-agreed local-level commitments between the two sides. Reports of Cambodian military activity near the border during the talks would be brought to the negotiating table as well, he said, adding that the Thai negotiating team includes representatives from the defence, foreign affairs, and interior ministries to ensure national interests are protected. If Cambodia agrees to all eight Thai proposals, the issues will be cleared for final approval at the main GBC meeting, said Gen Nattaphon. However, if only partial agreement is reached, the mutually agreed-upon points will be documented, and the remainder will be deferred to the next round of discussions, he added. The Thai side will also seek endorsement from the National Security Council before any final signing, he said. Asked whether a lack of progress at the GBC could result in renewed skirmishes along the border, Gen Nattaphon said it depends on Cambodia's willingness to honour its commitments. He, however, expressed confidence in the peace process, citing the presence of international observers at the talks Thursday. "If Cambodia violates the ceasefire agreement, it risks condemnation from the global community. However, we remain vigilant, and local military units are fully prepared," he said.
Bangkok Post
31-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thailand seeks neutral venue for border meeting with Cambodia
The Ministry of Defence on Thursday confirmed that Thailand has officially requested to change the venue for the upcoming Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, proposing Malaysia as a neutral host. RAdm Surasan Kongsiri, the ministry's spokesman, said the Cambodian government had invited Deputy Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit to attend the meeting scheduled for Aug 4, but Thailand believed such talks should not be held in a country in conflict with the other party. "According to international norms, countries in dispute should not meet on each other's soil. Such talks should be held in a neutral third country," said RAdm Surasan, citing the example of Ukraine and Russia, which avoided hosting talks in each other's territory. Thailand suggested Malaysia as the neutral third country, given its role in coordinating such discussions. The proposed dates remain Aug 4 to Aug 7, and Thailand will soon send its request to Cambodia and Malaysia. "Thailand's approach was proactive and rooted in the principle of neutrality," said the spokesman. "We will have to wait for Cambodia's response. If they are sincere, we believe they will agree." On Monday, Malaysia hosted talks between Thai and Cambodian leaders, who agreed to an unconditional ceasefire. However, the Thai government complained later accused Cambodia of continued and indiscriminate attacks on Thai soil after the ceasefire took effect at midnight.
