The Mirror, Vol. 11, No. 539
POLICE EXPLAINED THAT MONEY IS TAKEN FOR THAILAND!
“Ou Chrov, Banteay Meanchey: Khmer sellers who cross the border to sell things in Thai markets in Rong Kloeu complained that the Cambodian immigration police at the Poipet border crossing extorts Baht 200 [approximately US$6.60] from each of them for a border pass, so they can use it as their identity cards to enter Thailand – while the issuing of identity cards is done by the Thai authorities free of charge.
“Many sellers told journalists that every year, Thai authorities organize the issuing of identity cards to all Khmer sellers who regularly enter to sell things in the Rong Kloeu market, in Sa Kaeo province in Thailand, and for the issuing of identity cards, the Thai authorities have never taken any money from the sellers, not even for taking photos. The sellers said that it is strange that this year, the Cambodian immigration police takes money from the sellers of not more than Baht 200.
“The sellers said that this year, Thai police demand that all sellers have their CVs certified by the Poipet immigration police; therefore, while an opportunity for getting money appeared, our police decided to take Baht 200 from each seller for their identity cards. The sellers said that our Khmer police decided that the sellers have to pay either Thai Baht 200, but if any seller pays in Khmer Riel – approximately Riel 20,000 [around US$5], the police will ask for another Riel 2,000.
“The sellers said that the problem mentioned above is annoying for the sellers, especially for those who are poor, selling things in small baskets. Every seller has to buy in addition a ticket which costs Baht 10 every day, in order to enter the Thai market, but why do our Cambodian police take money even for the issuing of the cards? The sellers asked the Ministry of Interior, the supervisor of the police, to help intervene, because tens of thousands of sellers cross the border to sell things in the Thai market.
“Regarding the above complaints, Colonel Pech Saran, the chief of the Immigration Police in Poipet, explained that it is true that they take Baht 200 from each sellers, but this is to help the Thai authorities to buy some pieces of equipment for the issuing of identity cards. He said that the Thai authorities had suspended the issuing of identity cards for several months, which prevented some sellers from entering Thailand. Thus, the immigration police coordinates the cooperation with the Thai authorities to help to continue issuing identity cards again, and the Cambodian side helps to support this with materials and equipment for the issuing of identity cards.” Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4464, 16-17.12.2007
Newspapers Appearing on the Newsstand:
Monday, 17 December 2007
Khmer Amatak, Vol.8, #536, 17.12.2007
- Hun Sen Prepares for Sao Sokha [Commander of National Military Police] to Destroy Constructions of the Yuan Ta Company Opposite the Municipal Court [around the Olympic Stadium] Soon [when the 2008 election approaches]
- Kampot Stadium Sold
Khmer Machas Srok, Vol.1, #73, 17.12.2007
- Workers of the 7NG Company Use Cruel Violence against Citizens at the Dey Krahom Community [over land dispute – Phnom Penh]
Moneaksekar Khmer, Vol.14, #3339, 17.12.2007
- Soon After Hun Sen [verbally] Attacked [the UN human rights representative] Yash Ghai, His Policeman Kicked a Pregnant Woman Until She Had a Miscarriage [Pailin]
Neakreach, Vol.4, #28, 17.12-2.1.2007
- [UN human rights representative] Mr. Yash Ghai Has Bad Luck in Cambodia over Human Rights Issue and Land Grabbing [as he is not received by the Cambodian authorities]
- Ministry of Interior Should Observe Foreigners Holding Cambodian Identification Cards and Passports
Rasmei Angkor, Vol.14, #1258, 17.12.2007
- Municipality Urges French Company [CeteLum – holding a contract] to Improve Lights at Important Places before the General Election
Rasmei Kampuchea, Vol.15, #4464, 16-17.12.2007
- Immigration Police Extort Money Issuing Thai Border Passes
- King Inaugurates Cambodian Red Cross Headquarters
- Five Cubic Meters of Luxury Wood Transported out from Stung Treng Forestry Office at Night [of 14 December]
Sralanh Khmer, Vol.3, #577, 16-17.12.2007
- Mao Monyvann [Sam Rainsy Party Parliamentarian from Kompong Cham]: Hun Sen Should Be Brave to Resign
- Not an Angel, but Yuon [Vietnam] Sent Hun Sen to Cambodia [responding to a Cambodian Television Network interview organized by Chum Kosal, an advisor to Prime Minister Hun Sen, in which a professor said that Hun Sen was sent by an angel to Cambodia]
