Poipet / Aranyaprathet border to close Options

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Gamblers cross to Poi Pet amid border closure rumours
SA KAEO, May 22 (TNA) – A large number of Thais crossed into the Cambodian border town of Poi Pet to gamble amid renewed rumours that Thai officials would close the Aranyaprathet border checkpoint on Sunday.

Despite the rumours Thai gamblers queued in long lines to cross the border.

The rumours had spread in the area in the past few days that Thailand would close the border at Aranyaprathet because of the recent conflict with Cambodia over the historic Khao Preah Vihear temple, according to a Cambodian official in Poi Pet.

Thailand and Cambodia agreed to reopen the border checkpoint in Si Sa Ket province allowing tourists to visit the historic temple on Friday.

The disputed ownership of Preah Vihear temple, between Thailand and Cambodia, was resolved by the UN International Court of Justice in 1950s in Cambodia’s favour.

A Cambodian official told TNA that he had not received any orders to close the Poi Pet border checkpoint. He said he did not believe the border would be closed as was no real problem between Poi Pet and Aranyaprathet.

The rumours over the past few days have panicked vendors in both countries, according to a senior Thai immigration official at Aranyaprathet, Pol. Lt. Col. Purichat Cherdchoo.

The border official said he had assured traders on both sides of the border that Thailand would not close the Aranyaprathet border checkpoint.

The rumours have made Cambodian vendors reluctant to place purchase orders for Thai goods with merchants in Aranyaprathet.

More than a thousand Thais employed in the casinos in Cambodia are also worried about losing their jobs.

source: http://www.mcot.org/query.php?nid=38711

Looks like relations between the two countries are at an all time low.