Panomdongruek residents celebrate rising cassava prices after border checkpoint closure blocks Cambodian imports
Cassava farmers in Surin's border region are celebrating doubled prices after Thailand closed its checkpoint with Cambodia, blocking cheaper imports and allowing local producers to profit as they prepare for the next planting season.
Surin — May 11, 2026 — A reporter traveled to the Thai-Cambodian border area of Ban Thai Santisouk in Bak Dai subdistrict, Panomdongruek district, Surin province and found that residents are currently preparing for agricultural activities and harvesting crops for sale, particularly cassava. Cassava prices have risen from around 1 baht to over 2 baht per kilogram following the border checkpoint closure due to the recent Thai-Cambodian fighting and the government's decision under Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul to close the checkpoint and cancel the MOU 44 agreement.
Pranee Kamjaydpai and Sombat Malikaew, a husband-and-wife farming couple, reported they are urgently harvesting cassava from their 4-rai plot and preparing to plant cassava again next season. However, cassava seedlings are scarce and expensive this year, selling for 3-4 baht per plant or 40-50 baht per bunch, because residents planted fewer cassava last year due to having to evacuate twice during the border conflict.
Despite ongoing concerns about the border situation, residents have become accustomed to the challenges. They emphasize that worrying constantly won't help them make a living. Previously, when they planted long beans before evacuating, the crops were lost completely.
Residents are requesting the government keep the border checkpoint closed permanently, as it has positively affected agricultural prices—particularly cassava, which doubled from 1 baht to over 2 baht. With no Cambodian cassava entering Thailand, farmers can sustain themselves. They ask that if fighting breaks out a third time, residents be given time to finish harvesting.
Residents also support the government's cancellation of MOU 44 and severing relations with Cambodia by keeping the checkpoint closed, and they want the government to accelerate border fence construction.
Currently, the border area remains peaceful and under constant surveillance. Residents are living safely, though they remain concerned about potential future fighting that could damage their crops. Without proper care during evacuations, agricultural products suffer significant losses, reducing yields and income.
