Khmer-Thai Stueng Bat International Border Checkpoint Nears Completion Despite Delays

• Sommana Yan
• 20 March 2023
• Local News
• 3190 Views

The construction of the Stueng Bat-Ban Nong Ean border checkpoint, a joint project between the governments of Cambodia and Thailand, is nearing completion, according to a recent site inspection by His Excellency Minister Sun Chanthol, Minister of Public Works and Transport. As of March 20, 2023, the project was reported to be 82% complete, with a scheduled completion date of May 2023.

However, HE Sun Chanthol expressed concerns that further delays may occur due to budget cuts by the Thai side.

“The company said that the project was 82 percent completed and was scheduled to be completed in May, which was delayed because the Thai side reduced the budget by only 40 percent … But when we came to check, we found that May is not yet, even if he (the construction company) has enough money …,” said HE minister.

The Stueng Bat-Ban Nong Ean border checkpoint aims to alleviate traffic congestion at the Poipet border gate, which is the largest and most important traffic flow between Cambodia and Thailand. The project has already been delayed twice and is being constructed with a concessional loan of approximately 26.5 million US dollars.

“This project has already been postponed twice, the first time, more than 100 days, the second time, more than 200 days. Now they want to extend it for another 3-4 days, we can postpone it, but it depends on the contract” HE added.

The Ministry of Public Works and Transport will discuss with the Thai side to speed up the process of lowering the budget for construction companies to be able to complete the project as planned.

Despite the delays, the Stueng Bat-Ban Nong Ean border checkpoint remains a vital project for both countries, and its completion will greatly benefit the flow of trade and tourism between Cambodia and Thailand.

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• Projects Development
• Road and Infrastructure