Many Indian passengers who recently traveled to Cambodia’s capital Phnom Penh complained that Thai Airways insisted on seeing $1,000 in cash per passenger before issuing boarding passes. The Embassy of India has also received several complaints from many of its citizens who have traveled to Phnom Penh.
Some workers, who traveled to Phnom Penh on a worker visa and boarded a Thai Airways flight to reach the Cambodian capital, complained that airline staff insisted on seeing $1,000 in cash per passenger.
The passengers, who wish to remain anonymous, said the airline’s staff was unwilling to accept prepaid travel cards, credit cards or multi-currency funds in their bank accounts.
Even though we told them we had valid credit cards and bank balances, the staff insisted on verifying $1,000 in cash per passenger. We don’t know why we were treated like this? We have traveled to several places and this is the first time we have witnessed anything like this.”
The plight of passengers was similar at Singapore Airlines, where officials reportedly insisted on seeing $1,000 in cash from Indian passengers.
although Khmer times Reached out to the two airlines via email and Telegram messages for their reactions on the controversial issue, neither responded until going to the press yesterday.
According to sources, some travelers have been denied boarding due to these special regulations for Indian passengers.
“It’s just plain harassment. The airlines create their own rules. They may ask for bank account details, but why insist on cash,” said a passenger who arrived in Phnom Penh on a work permit Khmer times.
When contacted, the Indian embassy said it would raise the matter with the concerned authorities in Cambodia.
A senior Indian embassy official said: Khmer times, “Some Indian nationals who have traveled from India to Cambodia via Bangkok have brought this matter to the attention of the Embassy. The Consular Section of the Embassy is investigating the matter with all the seriousness it deserves and will refer the matter to the relevant authorities in Cambodia.”
“As we have not received any official communication from the Cambodian Ministry of Interior or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation regarding the imposition of such special conditions on Indian nationals traveling to Cambodia, we understand that this is not the official policy of the King’s Government of.” Cambodia and expect that all airlines operating flights to Cambodia will not impose additional restrictions,” the embassy said.
Thai Airways has operated direct flights to and from four cities in India, including Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai and Bengaluru.
It has operated flights connecting Phnom Penh International Airport and Suvarnabhumi International Airport.
In April, the Government of India’s Ministry of Tourism proposed direct flights between the two countries to boost tourism. The ministry and the Indian embassy have also signed letters of intent in this regard.
- tags: Indian passengers, Thai Airways
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