BORDER AREA

Rice stores intended for export to Thailand have been piling up in villages throughout O'Chrouv district in Banteay Meanchey province since Sunday, when Thai border authorities began blocking transit of rice and other agricultural goods across border checkpoints, provincial military officials told the Post Wednesday. "Many tonnes of rice are now stored in villages throughout O'Beichun commune along the border after Thai authorities on Sunday stopped all agricultural exports from Cambodia, including rice, cassava, corn and other products," said Keo Narin, a Region 5 military officer stationed in the area. Om Chantha, a cabinet official in Battambang province, said Wednesday the halting of exports was an internal matter and that Thailand was within their rights to control goods crossing their border.