Cambodia bans Thai fruit, vegetables in border spat
Cambodia has previously sought help from the ICJ in a territorial dispute over a border temple. (AFP pic)
PHNOM PENH : Cambodia on Tuesday banned imports of fruit and vegetables from Thailand as the two countries face off over a border dispute that led to a bloody military clash last month.
One Cambodian soldier was killed on May 28 as troops exchanged fire in a disputed area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet.
The Thai and Cambodian armies both said they acted in self-defence.
Thailand has imposed border restrictions with Cambodia in recent days, while Cambodia banned Thai dramas from TV and cinemas, closed a popular border checkpoint, and cut internet bandwidth from Thailand.
On Monday, Cambodia's influential former leader Hun Sen Monday issued an ultimatum to Thailand to lift border crossing restrictions within 24 hours or face a ban on all Thai fruit and vegetable imports.
Cambodian authorities said Tuesday their Thai counterparts still imposed the border restrictions, and Hun Sen's ultimatum took effect.
'We have implemented the ban on imports of Thai fruit and vegetables since this morning,' Sok Veasna, director general of the general department of immigration, told AFP.
He said visitors could still cross the border between the two countries.
Cambodia has formally asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to help resolve the border dispute in four areas – the site of last month's clash and three ancient temples.
Hun Sen said on Monday that his country had to go to the ICJ because Cambodia wanted 'peace' as the two countries would never reach an agreement in the four areas.
Hun Sen also called on tens of thousands of Cambodian migrants working in Thailand to return home, saying they would face increasing discrimination as the border spat drags on.
The row dates back to the drawing of the countries' 800km frontier in the early 20th century during the French occupation of Indochina.
Cambodia has previously sought help from the ICJ in a territorial dispute over a border temple.
In 1962, the court ruled then the disputed Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia and in 2013, the ICJ awarded an area next to the temple to Cambodia too.
Thailand said it did not accept the court's jurisdiction.
Violence sparked by the dispute has led to 28 deaths in the region since 2008.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Malay Mail
11 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Support for Thai PM Paetongtarn crashes to 9pc amid leaked ‘Uncle' Hun Sen call fallout
BANGKOK, June 29 — Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's popularity has plunged to single digits in a new opinion poll, as backlash over a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen continues to shake Thailand's political scene. According to Bloomberg, just 9.2 per cent of respondents backed Paetongtarn as their preferred prime minister in a nationwide survey conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration (Nida) from June 19 to 25. That's a dramatic drop from the 30.9 per cent support she garnered in March. The youngest daughter of former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn has been under intense pressure since a June 15 recording of her conversation with Hun Sen surfaced, with critics interpreting her remarks as disparaging towards the Thai military. The scandal has triggered mass protests, with thousands of demonstrators gathering in Bangkok on June 28 demanding her resignation. The fallout also led to a coalition partner walking out, nearly causing her government to collapse. Despite the mounting pressure, Paetongtarn has so far resisted calls to step down. Meanwhile, the political momentum appears to have swung sharply toward the opposition. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut, leader of the People's Party, now leads the race for premier with 31.5 per cent support, up from 25.8 per cent in the last survey. According to Nida, Natthaphong's backers said they were drawn to his 'honesty and transparency' and hoped a younger generation of leaders would bring 'fresh ideas and policies' to the country. Still, nearly one in five respondents — 19.9 per cent — said no candidate was suitable to lead the country. Among political parties, the People's Party also saw a significant bump in popularity, rising to 46.1 per cent from 37.1 per cent. In contrast, Paetongtarn's Pheu Thai Party dropped to 11.5 per cent from 28.1 per cent. Paetongtarn was installed as prime minister in August 2024, following the Constitutional Court's removal of her predecessor, Srettha Thavisin, for ethics violations. Thailand's ongoing political turmoil adds to broader economic concerns, with the country grappling with slowing domestic consumption, weak tourism figures, and pressure from potential US tariffs. The Nida poll surveyed 2,500 Thai citizens aged 18 and above nationwide.
The Star
12 hours ago
- The Star
Leaked Hun Sen clip blamed for Paetongtarn and Pheu Thai's popularity plunge: Nida Poll
BANGKOK: The director of Nida Poll has pointed to a leaked audio clip involving Cambodian strongman Hun Sen as the main reason behind the sharp drop in popularity of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and her Pheu Thai Party. The situation, he noted, has created an opening for the Bhumjaithai Party to gain ground. Audio leak triggered voter backlash Dr Suvicha Pau-aree, director of the National Institute of Development Administration's opinion survey centre (Nida Poll), said the leaked conversation between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was a key factor behind the slump in popularity. The audio, released just before the poll was conducted from June 19 to 25, revealed Paetongtarn criticising the commander of Thailand's Second Army Area in an apparent effort to curry favour with Hun Sen. The backlash among Thai voters, fuelled by nationalistic sentiment, followed swiftly. Poll numbers reveal sharp drop The Nida survey showed Paetongtarn's popularity plunging from 30.9% in the first quarter to just 9.2%. Similarly, support for Pheu Thai dropped from 28.05% to 11.52%. Suvicha said such a dramatic decline could not be explained by general dissatisfaction with government performance alone. 'If it were just policy-related disappointment, the numbers wouldn't have fallen this drastically,' he stated. Unclear if damage is permanent Suvicha noted that the full impact of the clip leak would become clearer in the third-quarter poll. 'We need to wait and see whether this is a temporary backlash or a lasting shift in public opinion,' he said. Still, he warned that regaining lost ground would be difficult unless Paetongtarn could find a way to politically outmanoeuvre Hun Sen, given the current surge in Thai nationalism. Bhumjaithai emerges as biggest gainer While Pheu Thai stumbles, Bhumjaithai Party and its leader Anutin Charnvirakul appear to be gaining momentum. According to the same survey, Anutin's popularity rose from 2.85% to 9.64%, while Bhumjaithai's party rating jumped from 3.35% to 9.76%. Suvicha said Bhumjaithai seems to be attracting former red-shirt supporters disillusioned by Pheu Thai. If an election were held now, he believes Bhumjaithai could win up to 100 seats in the House of Representatives. He added that if the party performs well in opposition, it could enjoy even greater support in future polls. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
a day ago
- The Star
Cambodia's ruling party marks 74th founding anniversary on Saturday (June 28)
PHNOM PENH (Xinhua): The ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) on Saturday celebrated the 74th anniversary of its birth. At the event, a troupe of artists performed a celebratory dance, and doves were released into the sky as a symbol of peace and freedom. The CPP has ruled the Southeast Asian country since 1979. In Phnom Penh, over ten thousand CPP members gathered this morning at the Main Palace, the party's headquarters, to mark the occasion. The event was presided over by CPP President Hun Sen, CPP Honorary President Heng Samrin, and CPP Vice President and current prime minister Hun Manet. - Xinhua
