Economic Dependency Analysis of Border Trade between Thailand – Cambodia (A Case Study of Srakeaw Province)

Abstract

The Thailand–Cambodia Border Trade with its patterns and trends, including the normal trade at Aranyaprateth, Srakaew Province, is the best example of completeness in terms of size, level and volume of trade.  Aranyaprateth has been allocated as the top 3 following successful border trades in addition to Sadao and Padang Bezar. In facts, Rong Klea Market is the most important market for Cambodian. To study the economic dependency between Thailand – Cambodia Border Trade, in this research we have used the Dependency Theory, World System Theory, and Globalization Theory, with regard to both Qualitative and Quantitative Research Methodology Approaches. The results of our research are as the following: 1) Quantitative Approach; Rong Klea Market’s trading business represents inbound and outbound number of Cambodian citizens. And the permission for Cambodian for inbound and outbound in private Cambodia cars and public Cambodian buses. By the relations in volume of border trade passing through Cambodia. Three types of questionnaires for shipping agent, the Cambodian businessmen and entrepreneurs and Cambodian citizens represent the situation in Thailand – Cambodia’s border trade that Cambodia depends on Thailand by the economic dependency. 2) Qualitative Approach: After conducting a couple of in –depth interviews, it was understood that Cambodia depends on Thailand continuously. From the development in roads’ networking and transport’s regulations and measurements for border trade including with customs checking point at Aranyaprateth in variety of dimensions represent that Cambodia depends on Thailand. From the research results analyzed beyond the historical background between Thailand – Cambodia, everything still stands on Economic Imperialism. It is the structural dependency that Cambodia depends on Thailand with the description by using Dependency Theory. And it shows the economic dominance by economic and political hegemonic power. These relations represent the situation in Hegemony –Rivalry by the description of World System Theory more than Cultural Assimilation. The conclusions of this research are economic dependency occurred from Thailand – Cambodia Border Trade.