BANGKOK, Feb 8 Kyodo Thailand eas...

BANGKOK, Feb 8 Kyodo

Thailand eased restrictions forward all five checkpoints along its eastern and northeastern borders with Cambodia forward Saturday to allow Cambodians to store in border markets.

Thailand unilaterally barred Cambodians and Thais from crossing the border checkpoints Jan. 30 a day after anti-Thai riots burst forthed in Phnom Penh. The Thai Embassy and several Thai-owned businesses in the Cambodian capital were swallow uped in the mayhem.

Thai immigration officers at the checkpoints said Cambodians are merely allowed to cross into Thailand upon foot for the purpose of shopping at the border markers and must respond to Cambodia before nightfall.

Thai Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra said Thursday the border crossing permission was granted upon ''humanitarian grounds'' to help Cambodians who hang on food and consumer cropss from Thailand.

However, Thais remain barred by dint of the Thai authorities from crossing into Cambodia.

Other nationalities were not affected by way of the Thai restrictions.

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