Word on the street from Sa Kaeo province is that Thai authorities have cracked down again. This time, it happened at Rong Kluea Market – that's the big market right across from the Poipet border crossing. They rounded up 32 Cambodian vendors. Reports say it was on September 11, 2026, and these folks were taken straight to Aranyaprathet district. These were all people who had been living and selling their wares there.
Honestly, this isn't the first time something like this has happened. Local vendors often talk about how Thai authorities regularly come around to check on goods and people. Back when there were border tensions, a lot of Cambodian vendors fled back home. But some, especially those with a lot of stock they couldn't bear to leave, or those who later snuck back to set up their stalls again, often end up getting caught. It doesn't matter if you have a passport or not; they just get picked up, no ifs or buts. Many people on the street here are saying it's really tough these days, just trying to earn an honest living is a constant worry.
Regarding that September 11, 2026 incident, it was actually Thai military personnel who directly apprehended the 32 individuals. They were cited for illegally residing and selling goods. Of course, some were quick enough to get away. Over on our side, Police Chief Ith Chanrong from the Poipet border immigration police station said he'd heard about the arrests. However, he hasn't received any official notification from the Thai side. He also mentioned that in the past, Thai authorities have never informed Cambodia when they conduct such operations or make arrests. Out of the 32 arrested this time, 18 were women. The operation was a joint effort by inspectors from Aranyaprathet district and departments from Sa Kaeo province. Many people here say it's impossible to know the exact number of Cambodians selling goods over there, mainly because they use so many different routes to cross the border, making it incredibly hard to track them all.
