Developing Strategies for the Retailers along Thailand-Cambodia Border Crossing Points

Abstract

This research found that the same problems of the retailers at Chong Sa-Ngam and Chong Chom permanent border crossing point markets were: 1) market areas, 2) retailers and 3) customers, while the different problem was the products. The same needs of retailers were: 1) allowing agencies to organize to be permanent market space and2) arranging systematic infrastructure and continuous management. On the other hand, the different needs of retailers were: 1) encouraging Thai customers to buy more products, 2) not increasing rental space fees, 3) providing responsible persons for markets clearly and product safety, 4) being flexible in law enforcement of Thai officials and 5) collecting taxes of Cambodian officials systematically with standard. Moreover, the limitations of retailers were different in two areas. The limitations at Chong Sa-Ngam permanent border crossing point were: 1) retailers had low investment budget, 2) market areas couldn’t be driven full potential, 3) markets were very far from the permanent border crossing point, 4) trading days were specified and 5) rental fee of market areas at Cambodian side was increased every year due to belonging to capitalists. Next, the limitation at Chong Chom permanent border crossing point was a government policy that controled copyright products and the FDA. The potentials of retailers at Chong Sa - Ngam permanent border crossing point were: 1) retailers communicated well in both Thai and Khmer languages and 2) there was no entry fee on specified trading days. Besides, the potentials of retailers at Chong Chom permanent border crossing point were: 1) retailers had high investment budget, 2) Cambodian and Thai customers trusted in products quality of Thailand and 3) there was trading every day. Furthermore, the seven developing strategies for retailers at Chong Sa - Ngam permanent border crossing point are: 1) to promote retailers to communicate in Khmer and Thai languages for trading, 2) to create relationships at provincial level of both countries as continuous trading partner cities, 3) to link up transportations to be flexible, 4) to provide trading areas near the border crossing points, 5) to allow local authorities to manage the market, 6) to promote product diversity and 7) to support local potential of retailers. The three developing strategies for retailers at Chong Chom permanent border crossing point are: 1) to encourage retailers to study international trade regulations and laws, 2) to establish market structure systematically and 3) to control over payment system clearly. However, the policy proposals for relevant agencies on the development retailers are differences. The policy proposals for Chong Sa - Ngam permanent border crossing point are:
1) to promote local agencies with standard area management, 2) to promote concrete border integration mechanisms, 3) to strengthen international relationships at local level along the borders and 4) to promote local retailers to be competitive. On the other hand, the policy proposals for Chong Chom permanent border crossing point are: 1) to promote public relations of border trading market to boost up economy, 2) to encourage retailers to learn Khmer and Thai languages more and 3) to promote better Thai - Cambodian relationships in both government agencies and local communities.