As part of a continuing dispute between taxi drivers and customs officials over untaxed goods at the border, a taxi driver is suing for $100,000 for assault. He was allegedly strangled and smashed against his car by a customs officer at Poipet.
Taxi Driver Sues Customs Officials

The taxi driver who was filmed allegedly being assaulted by customs officials last month has sued three of his attackers for $100,000, while the officials have launched a counter-suit.

Pek Chanra, a driver from the Santepheap Taxi Network, was accused by customs officials on May 18 of allegedly carrying untaxed goods across the Cambodia-Thai border at Poipet. A scuffle ensued and video leaked online showing the alleged assault went viral.

Mr. Chanra filed the complaint against chief of Banteay Meanchey provincial customs headquarters Chhe Sothea, Huy Socheat, the chief of Poipet customs office, and customs official Rath Vireak.

The video posted on Facebook shows Mr. Vireak trying to choke Mr. Chanra and ramming him against the hood of his car with the help of a paramilitary police officer, drawing widespread condemnation online.

Mr. Chanra said his car is still impounded by customs with officials refusing to release it.

“Up until now, I haven’t resumed my business because my car is at Banteay Meanchey provincial customs office. They don’t have a solution yet. When we approached them, they always said they are busy,” he said.

“I filed the complaint on May 31. I want the court to give me justice and compensation of $100,000.”

Santepheap Taxi Network president Ung Thap Raing said they have yet to see the results from the prosecution, and added that customs officials have harassed other network drivers for carrying untaxed goods, an accusation which is unfounded, he said...
http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/25731/ ... officials/

The dispute continues between taxi drivers and customs officers on the Poipet border checkpoint to Thailand.
Taxi drivers, who are protesting against shake-downs by customs officers,have formed a sort of union called Peace of Taxi Network. Basically, the taxi drivers have had enough of being stopped in the border area by customs officers who claim duty for whatever is in the car. Things came to a head with the assault of a driver and the impounding of his taxi - see the OP.

Forty drivers drove from Poipet to Siem Reap in protest yesterday.

Drivers Protest Border Extortion

“The protest had three main purposes. First, we wanted two vehicles seized on April 24 and May 13 back. Second, we want the mobile officials to stop chasing our group on the public roads because it can be dangerous.

“And third, we want the officials to stop taking the unofficial fee of 20,000 riel ($5) per day or $150 per month,” he said, adding that the fees were being pocketed and now receipts were issued.

http://www.khmertimeskh.com/news/26582/ ... extortion/