Sampov Loun district authorities planned to file a request to the Battambang provincial authorities on behalf of 116 vendors to return items that were put up for sale at the Thai market in the Phnom Dey border checkpoint after they failed to sell due to the border closure.

Sampov Loun district governor Ngeav Bunyeang led a meeting at the district hall on Sunday to discuss the request.

Sampov Loun district deputy governor Yon Sangha told The Post on Wednesday that having received the request from the vendors, he opened the district level meeting which was attended by Phnom Dey border checkpoint police officials.

He said because the request was beyond the jurisdiction of the district police, the district authorities will ask for permission at the provincial level to file a request or negotiate with the Thai authorities.

“At the meeting with relevant police officials, we decided to write a letter requesting permission from the provincial governor,” he said.

One of the 116 vendors, Sun Sophal, told The Post on Wednesday that the border closure was intended to contain the Covid-19 pandemic over a month ago and affected their livelihoods very much. He expects that the request will be addressed.

“Our products have been stocked up at the Thai Market for a long time. I don’t know when Thailand will open the checkpoint again. Goods at the Thai market have been left behind including shoes, detergents and shampoo. When they are left behind a long time, they expire,” Sophal said.

Battambang provincial governor Nguon Ratanak said he knew the meeting was held to address the request. But he is unsure of the results. He said he will examine the case when he receives a report from the district level.