Politics Chaos at Ban Khlong Luek Border Checkpoint as Early Closure Catches Thais & Cambodians Out

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin.

 

Confusion and chaos erupted at the Ban Khlong Luek permanent border crossing in Aranyaprathet district on the afternoon of 7 June, after authorities unexpectedly closed the Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge early, leaving large crowds of Thai and Cambodian nationals stranded.

 

At around 16:00, paramilitary rangers from Company 1201, along with troops from the Aranyaprathet Task Force of the Burapha Force, abruptly sealed the border. Military personnel erected steel barricades across the Thai side of the bridge, barring all vehicular and pedestrian traffic from crossing in either direction.

 

The closure stranded hundreds of Cambodian nationals who had been working or trading at the bustling Rong Kluea Market on the Thai side. Many gathered at the checkpoint, desperately trying to return home. Similarly, Thai workers based in Poipet, Cambodia, were unable to re-enter Thailand.

 

Military officials explained that the move was part of a graduated response strategy. Authority for such closures had been delegated from the Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army to the First and Second Army Region Commanders, who now have discretion to open or close border points as deemed necessary.

 

Additionally, the Army announced revised operating hours for all permanent and temporary border checkpoints. Effective from 7 June 2025, official border opening hours have been shortened from the previous 06:00–22:00 to 08:00–16:00. Trade-relief points will now operate only from 08:00–12:00.

 

Further restrictions were also imposed: Thai nationals are prohibited from crossing into Cambodia for gambling or tourism purposes. Only Thais employed in Poipet are allowed to travel between the two countries and their Cambodian visa stays have been reduced from 14 days to just 7.

 

Today marked the first day under the new 16:00 closing time, but the abrupt enforcement caught many off guard. Soldiers began sealing the checkpoint at the scheduled time, without prior public warning, triggering confusion and frustration among those trying to cross.

 

In a bid to defuse tensions, the Commander of the Burapha Force later granted a temporary exemption, allowing stranded Cambodians to return home. However, Thai citizens and tourists were still not permitted to cross. The measure helped ease congestion and calm the situation at the border, which had reached near-panic levels earlier.

 

This development comes amid heightened security concerns and a tightening of border regulations in the region. Officials have yet to confirm how long the stricter measures will remain in place.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-06-08