Thailand Closes Border Crossings into Cambodia

Thailand’s military closed border crossings into Cambodia to all travellers, including tourists and traders.

This step came as tensions increase over territorial dispute between the two neighbours.

All vehicles and travellers will be stopped from crossing borders into Cambodia across seven provinces, according to statements by Thailand’s army and navy.

The tensions between both countries started in May when troops exchanged fire at a contested area of the border. The exchanged fires left a Cambodian killed. 

Various nationalist protests erupted in both countries.

Thailand’s prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Monday that some cases such as patients requiring medical treatment, or students travelling for education will be excluded from the crossing ban.

The latest border closures follow a series of retaliatory measures imposed by both governments. 

For example, Cambodia has banned Thai films from TV and cinemas, cut internet bandwidth from Thailand, and suspended fruit, vegetables imports from Thailand, gas and fuel imports. 

Thailand also increased its border restrictions, while both sides shortened visa status for visitors from either country.