Poipet is located on the border between Cambodia and Thailand. Border trade provides business and job opportunities and attracts people from all parts of Cambodia.

The largest single source of employment is day labour. Labourers transport goods to the border and take responsibility for negotiating the bribes needed to conduct trade. Working conditions for these people are bad and incomes are declining.

Another feature of Poipet is the casinos. The casinos provide employment for around 3000 people. However, a bribe that the poor cannot afford is needed to secure a job and this prevents most people in the Poipet area from working there. As most supplies are imported from Thailand the casinos provide very little economic benefit to the area.

The influx of tourists and business men visiting the area has led to an increase in massage parlours, night clubs and sex workers.