Thailand Imposes Restrictions on Cambodia Border
The restrictions and closures have raised questions about the evidence for Cambodia-based transnational crime and the motivations behind Thailand's actions, amid a complex and escalating dispute that has its roots in a long-standing border issue, with both countries taking steps to protect their interests and citizens.
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has announced new restrictions on the country's borders with Cambodia, citing a need to combat transnational crime and online scamming operations based in Cambodia, amid a long-standing border dispute that has escalated to a decade-long low.
The restrictions include boosting screening at land borders, blocking departing tourists, and only allowing students, medical patients, and those who need to purchase essential goods to enter or leave Thailand. The Thai army has shut down most border crossings with Cambodia in seven of the eight border provinces, in response to a border clash on May 28 that killed one Cambodian soldier. The move is also linked to a recent United Nations report that described Cambodia as a major hub for online scamming operations, with factories of fraud relying on a large indentured workforce.
The dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has led to increased tensions, with both countries announcing closures of border checkpoints and crossings. Cambodia has responded to the Thai measures by closing border checkpoints and accusing Thailand of exploiting border disputes and economic leverage for domestic political gain. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet has also announced that the country will halt all fuel and gas imports from Thailand, effective midnight on Sunday, due to the border dispute.
The border dispute has its roots in a century-old border issue and has plunged relations between the two neighbors to a decade-long low, with both sides trading blame and taking tit-for-tat retaliatory steps. The crisis has also put pressure on Thailand's government, with Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra facing calls for her resignation over her handling of the crisis, including a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
The situation remains volatile, with a rally called for June 28 to demand the resignation of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and the travel ban on tourists heading to Cambodia still in place. The dispute has significant implications for the region, with both countries imposing punitive measures on each other, including Cambodia's ban on Thai imports and Thailand's suspension of internet services used by Cambodian security agencies.