AFTER suffering a prolonged spell of loss of income villagers living along the border with Cambodia in Siriket’s Kantharalak district are now reluctantly selling their cattle at very low prices amid fears of a new round of clashes breaking out, Amarin TV said today (Aug. 19).
Reporters from this TV station visited the cattle market which has reopened once a week after having previously been closed from July 24 onwards when Thai and Cambodian troops started fighting with the atmosphere being lively as farmers herded in their cattle to trade.
Mr. Suban, 66, said the market was bustling as it had been closed when clashes took place, however cattle prices are significantly lower, likely due to large numbers of people selling their livestock, particularly those living along the border who fear another round of fighting could break out.
The glut has led to prices that had already dropped due to the clashes and ongoing tensions plunging even further.
Previously some traders from Vietnam and other neighbouring countries also came to this market but not many of them, he said, but after cross-border battles started traders got scared and these only a few show up, some days none at all.
Despite financial problems Suban encouraged frontline soldiers to stay strong, safe and healthy.
Mr. Khamphan, 63, another cattle trader said after the market closed during the fighting he lost almost a month’s income. Now that it has reopened he is here to trade his livestock to earn a living.
He noticed that farmers are rushing to sell their cattle amid fears of more fighting because if they have to flee the red zones again there will be no one to care for their livestock. Some have kept a few heads others have sold them all.
Khamphan added that as he lives near the Thai-Cambodian border he has seen Cambodians continuously encroaching on Thai territory and building houses there.
It’s like bamboo shoots that keep sprouting one after another until they turn into a big pile.
When Khmer Rouge ruled their country from 1975 to 1979 Thai people sheltered refugees and gave them food but they are not grateful and continue to encroach on Thai territory, he added.
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Top and Front Page: Cattle being sold at a weekly market in Sisaket’s Kantharalak district. Photos: Amarin TV
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