Cambodia builds new checkpoints along Laos, Thailand border

The Chong Sa Ngam checkpoint between northern Cambodia and Thailand. - The Star/ANN

PHNOM PENH (The Phnom Penh Post/ANN): Cambodia is constructing 16 border checkpoints along the Cambodia-Thailand-Lao PDR border areas in Preah Vihear, Pursat and Oddar Meanchey provinces to maintain order and security, said the Ministry of Interior.

Ministry spokesman Khieu Sopheak told The Post on Monday (July 13) the construction is being financed by the State budget.

“We construct them because old checkpoints have been damaged and the government has provided a budget to build border guard checkpoints gradually every year in provinces along the borders, ” he said.

Sopheak called the border stations model checkpoints and compared them to the construction of commune halls in other provinces.

The ministry’s Border Police Department director Wu Hak said on Monday construction was underway.

“I inspected a border construction team on Friday and the team was working hard to complete the construction before the rainy season. I can ensure the quality of construction, ” he said.

Two checkpoints are at the Pursat border, 10 in Preah Vihear, and and four in Oddar Meanchey. Each is guarded by army border units. - Phnom Penh Post/Asia News Network