“If I were still prime minister as before, I would not need to speak like this; I would simply order arrests or removal from office.” Senate President and Cambodia’s acting Head of State Hun Sen directed this message at officials and traders who continued smuggling Thai goods into the country while the border was closed. In a Telegram message on the evening of 8 October, he wrote: “I ask the Royal Government and authorities at all levels to root out officials and traders who continue smuggling Thai goods in while the border is closed, causing our neighbour to look down on us and say we cannot do without their goods.” He added: “If I were still prime minister as before, I would not need to speak like this; I would simply order arrests or removal from office. But do not think that when the cat is away, the mice can rule.”
The message came amid social-media reports alleging that officials and traders were still colluding to smuggle Thai goods into warehouses for further distribution in Cambodia. Joint forces inspected several tonnes of frozen meat—including chicken knees, wings and feet, duck heads and pig offal—at three locations in Phnom Penh’s Meanchey, Prek Pnov and Russey Keo districts. The goods, imported from Thailand, were reportedly brought in by the company អ៊ឹម សុផាន់ណារិទ្ធ, owned by a person known as ចែទូច. Consumer Protection, Competition and Fraud Repression Directorate-General (CCF) officials tested 33 frozen-meat samples and found no prohibited chemicals. They did, however, find nonstandard packaging, inadequate packaging hygiene and freezer temperatures that did not meet product-safety requirements. CCF officials also sealed seven refrigerated containers and temporarily suspended circulation of the meat pending laboratory analysis. Customs officials separately said the goods had no duty-payment violations and that all customs duties had been paid in full.
Preah Sihanouk Provincial Television. By: ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត
