Sawt Falasteen - Cambodians at quiet Thai border plead for peace

Thailand has all but closed the land crossings in seven border provinces as a territorial dispute with Cambodia that erupted into deadly military clashes last month festers.

Cambodians living near the checkpoint in Poipet -- the main land crossing between the two neighbours -- say they are worried about the conflict escalating.

San Noeun, 64, said the dispute had badly impacted small businesses and people like himself who earn hand-to-mouth from daily commuters around the border.

"Since the border dispute, we cannot make much money," he told AFP, adding he could previously make around $18 a day.

"It causes trouble to our livelihood."

He wrung his hands in an appeal to both the Cambodian and Thai authorities to end the dispute and re-open the border.

"Please don't use weapons. I don't want to see a war anymore. I am so tired of it," he said.

- Quiet casinos -

Poipet -- a busy casino city popular with Thai gamblers and known for underground cyberscam operations -- is dotted with new construction projects.

But since the gates on the Cambodian and Thai sides were both locked, the border crossing has fallen unusually quiet.

Local residents told AFP there are fewer people around in the evenings, and those that do come are spending less.

San Noeun said he usually drives many foreign casino workers around "but they don't come out to hang around now".

Chhan Siyoeung, 54, a shoe vendor with a store about a kilometre (0.6 miles) from the Thai border, also bemoaned a drop in sales due to fewer commuters.

"When there is a problem like this, people don't want to spend money," she said.

"I am so scared, but I cannot go anywhere else. If I stay here, I could make some money."

She said military violence would see local Thais and Cambodians suffer the most, and urged authorities not to take up arms.

In the flimsy hut where he stays with his son, San Noeun is also afraid.

"I am a bit scared. We do not have a bunker."

He had just returned with 200 baht ($6) after offering an overnight ride-hailing service.

"It is very hard now. We do not make enough money for day-to-day expenses," he said, fretting over his $2,000 debt to a bank.

Despite the hardship, some told AFP they were confident they could ride out the hardships of the border dispute.

"It is quiet, So it is a bit difficult to do business," fruit vendor Pov Bal, 34, said. "But it should be okay."

A.AbuSaada--SF-PST