(Thailand, 14th) Tensions at the Thai-Cambodian border continue to rise, with thousands of Thai citizens still stranded on the northwestern Cambodian border and unable to return to Thailand. Cambodian authorities had previously promised to allow them to cross the border, but have now postponed their release indefinitely.
According to the Bangkok Post, Cambodian authorities originally planned to open the Poipet border crossing, which connects to Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday (Dec 13), allowing Thais working in Cambodian casinos to return home.
Sources said that after the Thai side received news of the planned passage, they quickly deployed personnel and vehicles, completing the preparations within 20 minutes, and even provided ambulance convoys to meet the needs of sick or vulnerable people wishing to return.
However, at 1 p.m., the Cambodian side suddenly notified the Thais that the passage plan was canceled, with no new time for re-opening set. Thai officials then withdrew all personnel and vehicles, and police, citing security reasons, asked waiting journalists at the crossing to leave.
Thai-Cambodian border clashes have escalated in recent days, with about 3,000 Thais gathering at the Poipet crossing with their luggage on Thursday (11th), hoping to return home quickly. However, some reports say that Cambodian soldiers pushed the stranded Thais away from the vicinity of the border checkpoint.
The Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh later requested the Cambodian Ministry of Interior, on humanitarian grounds, to allow Thais to return home.
However, on Saturday afternoon, Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen called on the government to suspend the movement of citizens between the two countries. In a Facebook post, he said the move was for safety reasons, aiming to prevent possible harm to civilians during border crossings.
He advised Cambodian citizens working in Thailand to temporarily stay in Thailand, and Thais currently in Cambodia should also remain in place and await further notice.
The Thai authorities previously stated that since the outbreak of the latest border conflict, about 6,000 Thai citizens had registered to evacuate from Cambodia. On Wednesday (10th), Thailand had unconditionally repatriated 7,118 Cambodian citizens, emphasizing that the current conflict is limited to military forces and civilians should not be used as bargaining chips.
Sources said that after the Thai side received news of the planned passage, they quickly deployed personnel and vehicles, completing the preparations within 20 minutes, and even provided ambulance convoys to meet the needs of sick or vulnerable people wishing to return.
However, at 1 p.m., the Cambodian side suddenly notified the Thais that the passage plan was canceled, with no new time for re-opening set. Thai officials then withdrew all personnel and vehicles, and police, citing security reasons, asked waiting journalists at the crossing to leave.
Thai-Cambodian border clashes have escalated in recent days, with about 3,000 Thais gathering at the Poipet crossing with their luggage on Thursday (11th), hoping to return home quickly. However, some reports say that Cambodian soldiers pushed the stranded Thais away from the vicinity of the border checkpoint.
The Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh later requested the Cambodian Ministry of Interior, on humanitarian grounds, to allow Thais to return home.
However, on Saturday afternoon, Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen called on the government to suspend the movement of citizens between the two countries. In a Facebook post, he said the move was for safety reasons, aiming to prevent possible harm to civilians during border crossings.
He advised Cambodian citizens working in Thailand to temporarily stay in Thailand, and Thais currently in Cambodia should also remain in place and await further notice.
The Thai authorities previously stated that since the outbreak of the latest border conflict, about 6,000 Thai citizens had registered to evacuate from Cambodia. On Wednesday (10th), Thailand had unconditionally repatriated 7,118 Cambodian citizens, emphasizing that the current conflict is limited to military forces and civilians should not be used as bargaining chips.