The land crossings into Thailand have been completely shut for quite some time now amid Covid fears. This wasn't just restricted to tourism or individuals, but also for most goods and services. This placed strains on certain industries since Thailand, like most other countries in the world, depends on neighboring countries for cheaper access to certain goods.
Large corporations were still able to acquire their imports under strict surveillance but this was interrupted as well and just like most things in Thailand it seemed that the rich companies were given a pass while the common man was overlooked.
This latest ruling is a very very small one, and it might seem insignificant but it is a step in the direction to getting things back to the way they were before.
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Many people are not aware of this, but the areas located at nearly every land crossing into and out of Thailand normally have massive markets at them that are largely unregulated. At these places people from Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, and Cambodia come across on day passes and set up shops to sell their goods to Thais for cheaper than they would be able to acquire these things in Thailand. This is trading at its most basic and is a fantastic place to find some incredible bargains on certain things. When I look at it is it mostly looks like a bunch of garbage and well, for the most part it probably is. It is, however, a big part of the lives of people that use these opportunities to set up small shops in various kiosks throughout the country and provides many people with a way of making a living. Therefore, I'm for it!
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These markets absolutely thrive and from what I am told by my Thai friends the same courtesy of no import duty is honored on the other side of the border as well provided that what the person is carrying across is of small quantity. Almost all of the people engaging in these markets are very poor and therefore I kind of like the way that the government turns a blind eye to something that is actually illegal but provided there is no contraband such as drugs or weapons that are being moved, the practice is allowed to continue. The people who participate are very aware of the fact that if smuggling started to happen, that the whole market system would be shut down... therefore it is a self-policing system and nobody breaks the unofficial rules.
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I've been to these markets on a number of occasions and ended up buying fried chicken because it is mostly just trinkets, floor mats, clocks, and other such cheapo stuff but the border communities love it and it was a great way for them to make a little bit of money. But let's go ahead and get to the point.
At the moment the markets are still closed to anyone who is coming across the border but the people from neighboring countries are being permitted to transport goods to Thai partners across the border to sell the merchandise for them -or- they are being permitted to pick up goods that they may have left in storage before the lockdown began. Those travelling across are only allowed to stay for a few hours, are not allowed to buy or sell anything and it is said they are being watched and required to maintain a safe distance from all Thai citizens (I presume, but do not know for sure, that this is likely happening on the other side as well.)
So this is a step in the right direction to help out the people that were probably affected the most by the virus pandemic - the people who are desperately poor and have likely been struggling simply to survive during these times.
hopefully not harm will come from it and perhaps they can further extend these liberties a few weeks from now so that these low-level economies can start to "thrive" again. We gotta celebrate these small victories!
Well that is good if they are going to let some poor people make some money. Over where I live there seems to be a sense of community among the poorer people and we see a lot of folks electing to help others out. I do what I can as well but sometimes feel as though my generosity starts to seem like something I am supposed to do once I do it one time and that kind of hurts my feeling and makes me not want to help anymore.
Will they really "watch them" the entire time? I have a hard time believing they have the manpower for something like that. Maybe cctv
whatever it takes.. .baby steps, all at once, whatever... but lets get things moving somehow.