Bilateral Trade Falls Nearly 30%: How Are Cambodia–Thailand Border Closures Affecting Livelihoods?

The Cambodia–Thailand border conflict and closure of land crossings continue to disrupt the movement of goods and people between the two countries. The disruption affects bilateral trade and puts pressure on businesses, farmers and migrant-worker families in Cambodia’s border areas. For agricultural traders who depend on cross-border markets, restrictions at crossings mean fewer routes for transporting and selling goods. Transport, retail and service workers face fewer customers and lower incomes. Some Cambodian workers returning from Thailand also need to find new jobs, putting pressure on family remittances and local employment. According to reports, Cambodia–Thailand bilateral trade fell by nearly 30% year on year in the first nine months of this year. A United Nations socio-economic assessment also found that the border conflict affected jobs, household incomes and public services, extending its impact beyond trade into people’s everyday lives. At the third China–Cambodia–Thailand Track II dialogue in Shenzhen, participants discussed border security, trade recovery and residents’ livelihoods. The economy and livelihoods working group recommended exploring a gradual reopening of border crossings to create conditions for restoring trade. However, the recommendation emerged from an unofficial dialogue and is not a formal agreement reached by the Cambodian and Thai governments. When crossings will reopen remains subject to negotiations between the two sides. For border residents, restoring stable trade and employment opportunities is an important step towards easing livelihood pressures.