On New Year's Eve, the Chong Chom border market was quiet. Locals and tourists remained uncertain about the situation despite the ceasefire having lasted 72 hours.
On 31 Dec 2025 GMT+7, reporters described the atmosphere at the Chong Chom border trade market in Dan Subdistrict, Kab Choeng District, Surin Province, on New Year's Eve. They found more people buying fresh goods to prepare meals for the year-end celebration tonight, making the stalls selling fresh produce such as vegetables, meat, and seafood along the market street livelier than before, though still only about 20% as busy as during usual festivals.
At least this allowed border vendors to make some income to cover expenses, even though they were cautious about stocking up amid an unreliable situation—especially after the 72-hour ceasefire expired at noon yesterday and nearly 24 hours have passed today with no gunfire reported.
Normally, during festivals many people return from other provinces to shop at the Chong Chom border market. This year, fewer came because they lacked confidence in the situation and security, so they avoided celebrating New Year's at their hometowns, preferring to wait until conditions stabilized. Only a small number returned to visit family, leaving border villages and communities unusually quiet and lacking their usual bustle, with no tourists at all.
Boontri Pho Ngern, an egg vendor at the Chong Chom border market, said New Year's Eve was very quiet. He stocked some goods but few customers came, mostly familiar local residents and officials. People were hesitant to come due to fear of a third round of fighting and distrust of Cambodia. He stopped selling from the first outbreak of conflict.
Since then, sales have been poor up to now, so he reduced his stock. Currently, about 20% of usual customers are buying. There are no tourists at all, and no new faces returning home for the New Year. He praised the Thai soldiers for their dedication and spirit in defending Thailand, noting that Cambodia has encroached for many years but Thailand has regained the territory. He thanked all Thai soldiers.