PHNOM PENH, Cambodia. The Cambodian government on Tuesday accused Thailand of heightening border tensions by enforcing new restrictions that have effectively blocked nearly all land crossings, particularly for tourists entering Cambodia
The diplomatic strain follows a deadly armed confrontation on May 28 in a disputed border area where one Cambodian soldier was killed. Despite an earlier agreement to de-escalate the situation, both countries have continued to implement retaliatory measures that have sustained high tensions.
On Monday, the Thai army tightened security at its border checkpoints with Cambodia, following an order from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The directive permits only students, medical patients, and individuals with essential needs to cross into or out of Thailand, severely limiting the movement of tourists between the two nations.
Pen Bona, spokesperson for the Cambodian government, said the situation worsened due to Thailand’s actions, although Cambodia remains committed to resolving the dispute through diplomatic means.
“The Cambodian government has already stated that we will not initiate any border closure,” he said, adding that Cambodia is willing to lift its restrictions if Thailand does the same.
In response to the growing dispute, Cambodia has taken countermeasures, including banning Thai fruits and vegetables, boycotting certain Thai internet services, and cutting off electricity and fuel imports from Thailand. Before these actions, Cambodia sourced 30 percent of its fuel supply from Thailand.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet visited troops stationed along the border and a temporary shelter housing thousands of evacuated civilians on Monday. “Cambodia doesn’t want war,” he said, “but we cannot stand by and let us be abused.”
Aside from the travel restrictions, Prime Minister Paetongtarn also announced a crackdown on online scam operations allegedly based in Cambodia. Measures include blocking exports that could support such activities and coordinating with other countries and international agencies to combat cybercrime across Southeast Asia.
Pen Bona acknowledged the presence of online scams in Cambodia but criticized Thailand for shifting the blame. “This is a very shameful thing that is happening in Thailand, but they are trying to divert the story from Thailand to Cambodia,” he said.
Earlier this year, Thailand imposed similar anti-scam measures targeting syndicates in neighboring Myanmar, including cutting off electricity, internet, and fuel supplies to towns along their shared border.
Edgardo Hernal started college at UP Diliman and received his BA in Economics from San Sebastian College, Manila, and Masters in Information Systems Management from Keller Graduate School of Management of DeVry University in Oak Brook, IL. He has 25 years of copy editing and management experience at Thomson West, a subsidiary of Thomson Reuters.
- EDGARDO HERNAL
- EDGARDO HERNAL
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