O Meanchey urges longer border opening
Authorities in Oddar Meanchey province have asked their Thai counterparts in Si Sa Ket province to keep the Choam Sa Ngam checkpoint in Anlong Veng district open until 10pm, to make completing the paperwork required to cross the border simpler for the people of both nations.
The request came at a September 4 meeting between Oddar Meanchey governor Pen Kosal and Si Sa Ket governor Watthana Phutthichat.
Oddar Meanchey deputy governor Dy Rado said on September 6 that the border checkpoint is currently opened until 7pm.
“During these discussions, we asked that the Thai side make changes to their procedures in order to make the process of crossing the border simpler – especially for those who are entering Thailand to seek medical treatment,” he added.
He said Si Sa Ket authorities would discuss the request with their superiors.
The checkpoint is located in Cheung Phnum village of Anlong Veng district’s Trapaing Brei commune. It reopened in May, after a two year closure by Thai authorities due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The reopening ceremony was co-presided over by Kosal and Watthana, following extensive dialogue between the two regarding the principles and guidelines of their respective heads of government.
The checkpoint was reopened on a temporary basis, pending a Thai report on conditions at the crossing. Should it conclude that there are no issues, it is expected that crossing regulations would return to their prepandemic conditions.
Kosal has asked that Thai authorities ease requirements for health insurance cards for passport holders and restore border passes to a seven-day duration rather than the current three days.