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Thai businesses in Cambodia are prepared to move out if tension between the two countries deteriorates into violence.

However, they do not expect the situation to become serious and are carrying on with business as usual.

Some service businesses, such as hospitals, have already felt a minor impact, because they rely on foreigners and tourists.

Samart CEO Watchai Vilailuck, whose company runs two businesses in Cambodia, said he did not expect the situation to grow worse. However, the company is monitoring the situation closely.

Samart's businesses in Cambodia include air-traffic-control operator Cambodia Air Traffic Services, which employs 15 Thais and 35 locals, and the Kampot power plant.

The Vilailuck family and Vilailuck International Holdings also jointly own 60 per cent of The Museum Company, which manages the Angkor National Museum in Siem Reap. Local investors own the remaining 40 per cent.

Tanyapas Chuaychoo, corporate communications manager of satellite operator Thaicom, said his company's cellular subsidiary, Cambodia Shinawatra (CamShin), is maintaining business as usual while monitoring the situation through the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh.

CamShin has a staff of 400, only 1 per cent of which are Thai. The company does not think the situation will grow worse.

Pichet Turongkinanon, managing director of CM Organiser, which has a branch office in Siem Reap, said his company was alert to information related to the border conflict between the Thai and Cambodian armies. However, nothing serious has happened in Siem Reap.

"The Thai Embassy has not yet announced that it will evacuate Thai people back to Thailand, so we just have to make ourselves cautious and aware of the situation," Pichet said.

CM Organiser's office - which is planning a light and sound event at Angkor Wat at the end of this year - employs 20 staff at Siem Reap. Four of the staff are Thai.

Pichet said the conflict had already resulted in a 5-10-per-cent decline in the number of delegates from Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore planning to participate in seminars and conferences in Siem Reap over the next few months.

"From my point of view, local citizens and business people in Cambodia don't want the border conflict to be prolonged, because it affects their daily lives. Most consumer products and fresh food in the supermarkets are brought into the country from Thailand," Pichet said.

The Charoen Pokphand Group has ordered its management in Phnom Penh to prepare for evacuation. It has 27 Thai staff working in the capital.

As well, the group's businesses, including a feed mill, chicken farms and contract-crop farms, are dotted around the capital.

"At any urgent command from Bangkok, we're ready to move out, and our local staff will continue to operate the business smoothly," the group said.

Among the Thai firms that may be affected is construction company Ch Karnchang, said Kiatnakin Securities.