Poipet vendors charged over riot

Fri, 5 February 2016 ppp

Kong Meta

People gather near the Thai side of the Poipet border after traders overturned a vehicle on Wednesday. Photo supplied

Two Cambodian vendors on the Thai side of the Poipet border crossing were charged yesterday with the destruction of private property following a riot at a market on Wednesday, according to Poipet police chief Oum Sophal.

The incident began at about 10am at Long Keur market when a group of Thai officers began confiscating fake products, mostly perfume and belts, from Cambodian vendors.

The agents were from the Department of Special Investigation and were searching for counterfeit goods.

The seizure quickly led to a crowd of vendors pelting the agents with stones and chairs and overturning their van.

Ultimately, 12 officials were injured. Poipet Governor Ngor Meng Chroun yesterday said he is negotiating with Thai authorities “to calm down the situation”.

The two charged vendors, Kong Sam Oun, 22, and Nhim Seyha, 24, had been served a three-month prison sentence by the Thai Sa Keo Provincial Court, according to local news reports.

“We will meet with Thai authorities to help out the two, but we cannot intervene with their court’s decision,” said Meng Chruon.

Additional reporting by the Bangkok Post