Thai-Cambodia border closed to cargo traffic
The Poipet border crossing, which Thai authorities closed on June 23.
PHNOM PENH: The General Department of Immigration (GDI) has announced that it will not permit any type of cargo transport to enter, exit, or transit through any international border checkpoints or regional checkpoints along the Cambodian-Thai border.
In a statement issued on Sunday (June 29), the GDI explained that the ban will be enforced in accordance with a directive from Prime Minister Hun Manet, who was responding to measures imposed by the Thai side on June 7 and again on June 23.
'This measure will remain in effect until the Thai side fully reopens all international and regional border checkpoints, which Thailand unilaterally closed, to resume normal operations as they were before June 7, 2025,' said the statement.
Cambodia previously banned the import of Thai fruit and vegetables and suspended the import of oil and gas from Thailand.
The measures were taken by the Cambodian leadership in response to various threats from Thailand.
On June 23, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ordered Thai authorities to close border crossings in seven provinces, except for medical patients and students, citing the need to combat online scam operations and cross-border crimes.
On Sunday (June 29), Burapha Armed Forces requested that their immigration office in Sa Kaeo province allow cargo transport to enter and exit Cambodia through certain border checkpoints.
However, Prime Minister Hun Manet instructed the Thai side to request the military – or whoever has the actual authority – to reopen the borders that have been unilaterally closed or restricted since June 7.
"If Thai authorities and Thai citizens wish to see the Cambodian-Thai border checkpoints reopened, there is no need to request Cambodia.
"Please request those with real authority in Thailand, whether the military or others, to restore the border checkpoints to their normal state as before June 7, and provide clear assurances that there will be no further unilateral closures or openings.
"That will resolve the matter. Everything will return to normal operations as before," he said, via social media. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
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