(Bangkok/Phnom Penh, 23rd) Thailand and Cambodia have triggered a wave of border crossing "closures"; Cambodia on Sunday closed two border crossings in response to a similar move by Thailand the day before.
On Saturday (June 21), the Thai military unilaterally closed the Chong Sai Taku border checkpoint in Ban Khuat, Buri Ram Province, citing the move as crucial for strengthening Thailand's national sovereignty and security.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet immediately retaliated, ordering the closures of Choub Korki and Choam crossings in Oddar Meanchey Province bordering Buri Ram and Surin Provinces.
On Sunday (22nd), he stated in a Facebook post: “Since June 7, the Thai military has unilaterally closed border checkpoints between Thailand and Cambodia, without fully considering the potential negative impacts on the peoples of both countries.”
“Cambodia does not intend to create difficulties for those needing to travel across the border. However, if the Thai military continues to pressure Cambodia in this manner, Cambodia can take corresponding measures at any time.”
Hun Manet pointed out that the Thai Prime Minister and political leaders have expressed willingness to hold bilateral negotiations for reopening the border, yet the military remains obstinate, continuing to implement unilateral actions.
“I am not sure whether this is strategy or tactics, but it seems there is a lack of consensus between the Thai government and the military, and it is unclear what the real purpose of the border closures is.”
Hun Manet also said that Cambodia is willing to ease tensions with Thailand. “If the Thai side sincerely wishes to resume normal border operations, they can revoke their previous unilateral decisions. As soon as Thailand reopens the border, Cambodia will follow suit within five hours.”
According to Thai media reports, due to fuel shortages, many Cambodians entered Thailand’s Sa Kaeo via Poipet in Banteay Meanchey Province on Saturday to buy and stockpile fuel and bottled water.
Banteay Meanchey Governor Oung On described these as fake news. He said: “The photos published in Thai newspapers show Cambodians driving through the Poipet border checkpoint, which was already congested as soon as it reopened.”
Most of Cambodia’s fuel is purchased from Thailand’s state-owned oil company PTT. After the border dispute erupted, Thailand’s opposition party called for cutting off oil supplies to Cambodia.
Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen on Saturday said the opposition’s move was a “dangerous game that could lead to self-destruction.”
“We will not collapse just because we do not import petroleum from Thailand. On the contrary, it may be the PTT company that bears the consequences. Do you really want to see PTT go bankrupt? If so, go ahead.”
Hun Sen suggested that the Cambodian government seriously consider halting fuel imports from Thailand; he added that if the border issue remains unresolved, Cambodia should also suspend all canned food and beverage imports from Thailand.
On Saturday (June 21), the Thai military unilaterally closed the Chong Sai Taku border checkpoint in Ban Khuat, Buri Ram Province, citing the move as crucial for strengthening Thailand's national sovereignty and security.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet immediately retaliated, ordering the closures of Choub Korki and Choam crossings in Oddar Meanchey Province bordering Buri Ram and Surin Provinces.
On Sunday (22nd), he stated in a Facebook post: “Since June 7, the Thai military has unilaterally closed border checkpoints between Thailand and Cambodia, without fully considering the potential negative impacts on the peoples of both countries.”
“Cambodia does not intend to create difficulties for those needing to travel across the border. However, if the Thai military continues to pressure Cambodia in this manner, Cambodia can take corresponding measures at any time.”
Hun Manet pointed out that the Thai Prime Minister and political leaders have expressed willingness to hold bilateral negotiations for reopening the border, yet the military remains obstinate, continuing to implement unilateral actions.
“I am not sure whether this is strategy or tactics, but it seems there is a lack of consensus between the Thai government and the military, and it is unclear what the real purpose of the border closures is.”
Hun Manet also said that Cambodia is willing to ease tensions with Thailand. “If the Thai side sincerely wishes to resume normal border operations, they can revoke their previous unilateral decisions. As soon as Thailand reopens the border, Cambodia will follow suit within five hours.”
According to Thai media reports, due to fuel shortages, many Cambodians entered Thailand’s Sa Kaeo via Poipet in Banteay Meanchey Province on Saturday to buy and stockpile fuel and bottled water.
Banteay Meanchey Governor Oung On described these as fake news. He said: “The photos published in Thai newspapers show Cambodians driving through the Poipet border checkpoint, which was already congested as soon as it reopened.”
Most of Cambodia’s fuel is purchased from Thailand’s state-owned oil company PTT. After the border dispute erupted, Thailand’s opposition party called for cutting off oil supplies to Cambodia.
Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen on Saturday said the opposition’s move was a “dangerous game that could lead to self-destruction.”
“We will not collapse just because we do not import petroleum from Thailand. On the contrary, it may be the PTT company that bears the consequences. Do you really want to see PTT go bankrupt? If so, go ahead.”
Hun Sen suggested that the Cambodian government seriously consider halting fuel imports from Thailand; he added that if the border issue remains unresolved, Cambodia should also suspend all canned food and beverage imports from Thailand.