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An illegal border crossing and an illegal makeshift bridge had been constructed near the 5 Star Casino in Robieng district of Battambang province to facilitate the illegal crossings by Thai gamblers, report Khmer Sthapana.



When contacted by Khmer Sthapana reporters that they have witnessed illegal crossings by Thai gamblers, chief border police and chief of security for the 5 Star Casino all absolved themselves of any responsibility.



However, on 6th October, Khmer Sthapana reporters had firsthand witnessed a 4-wheel-drive Landcruiser sent by the 5 Star Casino picking up two illegal Thai border-crossers. The reporters immediately made a telephone call to Mr. Tea Chang, chief of the 5 Star Casino security, about what they had witnessed. However, Mr. Tea Chang said that illegal border crossings are not his reponsibility, but the responsibility of Military Unit 911.



The reporters immediately telephone Maj. Chhouk Ang, who was in charge of Military Unit 911 in the area. But he also said that illegal border crossings are not his responsibility. His responsibility is to protect the borders and security, he said.



The Thai government in the past banned all public servants from gambling in Cambodia, which is illegal in Thailand. Observers said that because they are afraid that they might be sacked, many Thai officials opted for illegal crossings, instead of coming through official border crossings, to gamble in the many border casinos in Cambodia.