Bangkok: Products from Thailand to Cambodia can still be exported by ship. "Commerce" discussed with all sectors to deal with border problems, reiterated that consumer goods can still be exported, supported low-interest loans, organized a caravan to reduce the cost of living, pointed out that the price of goods on the Cambodian side has started to rise, but Thailand is still able to control the situation, confident that it will not affect the overall economy.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chatuporn Buruspat, Minister of Commerce, called a meeting to discuss ways to help entrepreneurs and farmers from the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border. Mr. Chantavit Tanthasit, Deputy Minister of Commerce, along with the private sector, provincial commerce officials in the area, commercial attach©s in Phnom Penh, and executives of relevant agencies attended the meeting.

Mr. Chatuporn revealed that due to the current restrictions on entry and exit at Thai-Cambodian border crossings, the Ministry of Commerce has implemented proactive measures in both the short and medium term to alleviate the impact on entrepreneurs and farmers by accelerating the reconnection of products to the domestic market, opening product distribution points, and promoting domestic consumption under the policy of 'Thai made, Thai used, Thai helped Thai'. This includes the management of domestic fruits, such as linking purchases by various agencies and campaigning for fruit consumption, which helped the situation pass smoothly.

In terms of liquidity for entrepreneurs, the Ministry of Commerce has coordinated with financial institutions such as SME D Bank and Government Savings Bank to support long-term low-interest loans for groups directly affected. Additionally, the Minister of Commerce has ordered the preparation of an integrated plan with all sectors by assigning the Commerce Department of 7 border provinces to collect information on the needs of entrepreneurs and farmers in the area to provide more targeted assistance.

Regarding the transportation of goods to Cambodia and necessary adjustments in cross-border transportation, the Department of Foreign Trade has been tasked with discussing with logistics operators to help reduce costs. Concurrently, the Department of International Trade Promotion has been assigned to promote Thai products in Cambodia and continuously strengthen the potential of Thai entrepreneurs to maintain competitiveness.

Furthermore, the Department of Internal Trade has been directed to organize a caravan of low-cost Blue Flag products in border areas to help reduce the cost of living for people during the period of cross-border trade restrictions.

Mr. Chantavit Tanthasit, Deputy Minister of Commerce, stated that the ministry will group entrepreneurs according to product characteristics and business models to provide precise assistance, especially for groups with logistics risks and need for additional capital. It is coordinating with the Export-Import Bank of Thailand (EXIM Bank) to jointly support loans for exporters.

While the Office of International Trade Promotion in Phnom Penh reported that although the Cambodian side has suspended the import of some products such as oil, vegetables, and fruits, other essential products, especially consumer goods, can still be exported by changing the transport route to ship or using other land routes.

However, the prices of some consumer goods in Cambodia have started to increase due to increased transportation costs and product restrictions at certain times. The Ministry of Commerce will closely monitor the situation together with relevant sectors.

Mr. Jatuporn reiterated that the government is not ignoring the situation and is confident that with the cooperation of all parties, the border situation can be managed without affecting the overall Thai economic and trade picture, which still has a tendency to grow continuously. In 2024, the total trade between Thailand and Cambodia was worth 366,730 million baht, with border trade accounting for the highest proportion of 174,530 million baht. In the first 5 months of 2025, trade between the two countries continued to expand by 8.5%, with border trade expanding by 11.2%.