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The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Hun Manet: Thailand asked to reopen border, insists Cambodia didn't start closure
PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (pic) took to his official Facebook page on Sunday (June 29) to share an image of a document from Thailand's Burapha Task Force, addressed to the Sa Kaeo Immigration Police Superintendent, requesting a temporary relaxation of border crossing restrictions for Thai cargo trucks. Hun Manet stated that Cambodian authorities had received the request from their Thai counterparts in Sa Kaeo that same morning, urging the partial reopening of several border checkpoints to ease the economic hardship of people on both sides. He then issued a public clarification directed at both Cambodian and Thai citizens: 'Cambodia understands the difficulties faced by people in both countries due to the border closures. Let it be clear—we were not the ones who initiated these closures.' Hun Manet emphasised that Cambodia had not closed any border checkpoints since the late May border tension erupted in the tri-border area, insisting that Phnom Penh had no intention of escalating the dispute or disrupting cross-border movement and trade. Instead, he accused Thai forces of unilaterally initiating the closures, starting on June 7, by adjusting opening hours and limiting cross-border access without bilateral coordination. He claimed that this continued until June 24, when the Thai government ordered a complete closure, citing national security concerns. 'The political ambiguity and unpredictable shifts in Thailand's stance, along with inconsistencies between what Thai leaders say and what their military enforces on the ground, have become major obstacles to achieving a clear, stable, and lasting solution,' he said. Hun Manet declared that resolving the border issue is "very simple": if Thailand reopens the border unilaterally—just as it unilaterally closed it—and guarantees no future unilateral closures, Cambodia will reopen its side within five hours. The post followed Thailand's announcement earlier in the day that it would temporarily ease border restrictions for a seven-day period, based on orders from the First Army Region and the Burapha Task Force. The move was intended to alleviate the economic impact on local businesses and allow the clearance of cargo vehicles stranded on both sides—especially those pre-registered with Thai customs before June 25, 2025. Thailand's border relaxation (June 29 – July 5): Nong Ian–Stung Bot (permanent checkpoint): Up to 100 trucks/day (50 in, 50 out) | Operating: 8am–4pm Khao Din (permanent checkpoint): Up to 100 trucks/day (50 in, 50 out) | Operating: 8am–4pm Nong Prue (temporary trade checkpoint): Up to 40 trucks/day (20 in, 20 out) | Operating: 8am–12pm Thailand has stipulated that trucks returning to its territory must not carry any cargo, and all cross-border activities under this temporary measure must be completed within seven days. Thai authorities stressed that this was a humanitarian and economic relief effort, not a full reopening of the border, and that it should not be interpreted as a political signal amid ongoing tensions. - The Nation/ANN
Straits Times
4 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Cambodia closes off cargo traffic from crossing border with Thailand
Thai police officers and a soldier standing guard at the Chong Jom border checkpoint along the border between Thailand and Cambodia on June 11. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Cambodia's General Department of Immigration 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 June 29, the department said the ban will be enforced in accordance with a directive from Prime Minister Hun Manet, who was responding to measures imposed by Thailand 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. Following the announcement by Cambodia, Thailand's Burapha Task Force, which oversees the Thai-Cambodian border, requested that their immigration office in Sa Kaeo province allow cargo transport to enter and exit Cambodia through certain border checkpoints. However, Mr 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 on social media. THE PHNOM PENH POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand grants 1,000 Cambodians daily access to Ban Khlong Luek border crossing
BANGKOK: The First Army Area on Thursday (June 26) issued an urgent directive to relevant agencies concerning the Thailand-Cambodia border, allowing Cambodian and Thai citizens to cross the border and return to their home countries under humanitarian grounds. The new measures permit up to 1,000 Cambodians daily to pass through the Ban Khlong Luek Border Checkpoint in Sa Kaeo Province to return home. The military has clarified that this arrangement adheres to humanitarian principles while maintaining the same operational hours for opening and closing the border. Only Cambodians who are legally registered in Thailand and possess a Border Pass issued by their home province will be allowed to return. The designated vehicles must be authorised by the authorities, and they will be accompanied by officers throughout the journey. Passports will not be accepted for entry or exit, and illegal workers or new individuals will not be permitted to enter Thailand. This initiative, driven by the Burapha Task Force, is in line with the government's commitment to address the situation humanely, allowing those who need to return home the opportunity to do so while strictly maintaining border security. An example of the temporary border crossing includes the Ban Khlong Luek Border Checkpoint in Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province, where Cambodian workers can return between 8:00–9:30, 10:30-12:00, and 13:00-14:00 daily, with a limit of 300, 300, 400 people per session, respectively. Only motorcycles and private cars with oversight will be permitted. Additionally, special hours have been set for Cambodian students to return home, between 06:00–08:00 in the morning and 17:00–19:00 in the evening. Students must present clear documentation confirming their status, and no general public members are allowed to join the convoys. For patients requiring medical treatment in Thailand, they will be allowed to cross into Thailand with a Border Pass and must provide an official medical certificate from Cambodian doctors. They must also travel in approved vehicles, such as ambulances or patient transport vehicles. Passports will not be accepted, and no outsiders will be allowed to accompany them. The First Army Area has stressed that these measures are not a permanent reopening of the border, and the policy does not ease restrictions for Cambodians to enter Thailand again. Instead, it is a controlled, humanitarian effort to allow returning citizens while maintaining tight control over the border situation. Meanwhile, freight trucks and border trade activities authorised by customs checkpoints will continue as normal from 06:00–18:00, with strict inspections in place as usual. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
12-06-2025
- The Star
Burapha Task Force adjusts control measures for Thai-Cambodian border
BANGKOK: The Burapha Task Force has revised its control measures for Thai-Cambodian border crossings in Sa Kaeo province to provide humanitarian support until the situation is resolved. According to a Facebook post by the Royal Thai Army (RTA) on Thursday (June 12), the adjustment aims to assist and facilitate citizens following the enforcement of control measures at all types of border crossings along the Thai-Cambodian border since June 7. On June 11, the Burapha Task Force modified the control measures for permanent border crossings and trade facilitation points in the Sa Kaeo border area, with a focus on helping citizens in line with the current circumstances. - Photo: The Nation/ANN Details of the adjustments are as follows: 1. Ban Khao Din Permanent Border Crossing Point: Operating hours: 8am–4pm, with flexed measures allowing six-wheeled trucks and above to pass through (previously, trucks were not permitted), with daily vehicle limits as follows: Outbound to Cambodia: Limited to 70 vehicles per day between 8am–4pm Inbound to Thailand: Limited to 70 vehicles per day between 8am–4pm 2. Ban Nong Prue Trade Facilitation Point: Operating hours remain 8am–noon, allowing six-wheeled trucks and above to pass through, with daily vehicle limits as follows: Outbound to Cambodia: Limited to 30 vehicles per day between 8am–noon Inbound to Thailand: Limited to 30 vehicles per day between 8am–noon 3. Ban Ta Phraya Trade Facilitation Point: Maintaining existing operations, prohibiting six-wheeled trucks and above from passing through. However, if travel is necessary, the route through the Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge Permanent Border Crossing (Ban Nong Ian) may be used. The RTA also announced that adjustments have been made to assist Cambodian students, who can pass through Ban Khlong Luek Permanent Border Crossing, Ban Khao Din Permanent Border Crossing, Ban Ta Phraya Trade Facilitation Point, and Ban Nong Prue Trade Facilitation Point during morning hours from 6am to 8am and evening hours from 5pm to 6pm. The RTA will continue to monitor the situation closely and implement necessary measures to limit entry and exit appropriately while providing assistance and facilitating people on humanitarian grounds until the situation is resolved. - The Nation/ANN
Japan Times
08-06-2025
- Business
- Japan Times
Thailand tightens border security amid tensions with Cambodia
Thailand's top army official designated commanders of two task forces to oversee border crossings with Cambodia as tensions simmer following a skirmish in late May. Effective from Saturday, the Burapha and Suranaree task forces have been authorized to determine necessary measures at border checkpoints, according to a statement signed by Army Chief Pana Claewplodtook. The nations are looking to defuse tensions following an exchange of gunfire between troops on May 28 in the disputed Chong Bok border region, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The countries are set to hold talks at a Joint Boundary Commission meeting on June 14 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital. While the task forces must consider the needs of trade and daily lives of the local populations of both countries, "they may order the closing or opening of any or all border checkpoints under any conditions or time frame deemed appropriate' to protect Thailand's sovereignty, the army said in its statement. The move follows comments from Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai that border tensions have been exacerbated by Cambodia's reinforcement of its military presence. As a result, Thailand has "deemed it necessary to implement additional measures and to reinforce our military posture accordingly,' he said. Meanwhile, two border checkpoints in Thailand's eastern Chanthaburi province have been ordered to close temporarily for tourists by a commander of the provincial marine corps task force, The Nation, an English-language news website, reported on Saturday. The order cites an announcement of martial law in some parts of the province due to the security threat from Cambodia. Still, Cambodian migrant workers employed in Thailand are exempt, and cross-border trade will continue as usual, according to The Nation. Cross-border trade and custom activity remains operational as usual in Ubon Ratchathani province, Thai Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said in a post on X upon his visit to the northeastern region. The finance ministry has prepared fiscal measures for all circumstances, he said.
