Local Thai and Cambodian authorities are making preparations to reopen border checkpoints in Sa Kaeo province to enable the return of Cambodian workers and vendors to Thailand.
The governors of Sa Kaeo and the Cambodian provinces of Banteay Meanchey and Battambang met last week in Aranyaprathet district to discuss a tentative Dec 15 or Dec 16 reopening.
Sa Kaeo governor Parinya Photisat said it had been initially agreed that four checkpoints -- two permanent border passes and two border trade passes -- would reopen.
They are Ban Khlong Luek-Poi Pet in Aranyaprathet district, Ban Khao Din-Ban Kor Mor 13 in Khlong Hat district, Ban Nong Prue-Malai in Aranyaprathet district and Ban Ta Phraya-Ban Bueng Takuan in Ta Phraya district.
Based on initial discussions, he said authorities have agreed to initially allow up to 3,000 Cambodian vendors back into the country to resume cross-border trade at Talad Rong Klua market in Aranyaprathet district, one of the busiest on the Thai-Cambodian border.
Those who want to work in sugarcane plantations will be chosen by employers at the border and taken to the farms, he said.
The workers are not allowed to travel elsewhere unless they have permission.
He said the meeting also focused on Covid-19 containment measures that Cambodian workers must comply with to gain entry when the checkpoints reopen.
Vaccination requirements, rapid testing and health insurance or social security coverage were among the ideas proposed, he said.
The provincial health office will speed up vaccinations for locals to reach the 70% target and a Covid-19 response plan will be drawn up to deal with any outbreaks, he added.
According to border sources, the measures will have to be approved by the governments of both countries.