Cambodia Limits Thai Visits in Tit-for-Tat Over Border Tensions

Cambodia has sharply restricted Thai citizens to seven-day entry permits, a direct response to Thailand’s recent curb on Cambodian visitors and ongoing military friction along their shared border.

The move was confirmed by Lieutenant General Sok Veasna of Cambodia’s Immigration Department, who said the change came after Thailand cut Cambodian entry periods from 60 days to just seven. “In accordance with the leadership’s orders,” he stated, “we will match Thailand’s policy — Thai nationals now receive seven-day entry stamps and must exit upon expiry.”

Tensions between the two neighbours have flared since late May, when soldiers exchanged gunfire at a disputed border point, leaving one Cambodian soldier dead. On 7 June, the Thai military unilaterally closed border crossings, altered operating hours, and limited access to select days — prompting Cambodia to follow suit and shut its own border gates.

Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Seiha underscored that the army's presence remains entirely within sovereign territory and is purely defensive. “We aim only to protect our land,” he wrote on Facebook, adding that Cambodia harbours no hostile intentions.

Despite the tit-for-tat escalation, signs of de-escalation emerged on Sunday. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra announced that both nations had agreed to reposition troops to pre-agreed 2024 positions to cool tensions. “Discussions with the Cambodian government have yielded positive results,” she posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The sentiment was echoed by Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen, who stressed the importance of dialogue and troop coordination. “The people of both nations want peace, not war,” he wrote. “Adjusting military presence with mutual understanding is vital to avoid broader conflict.”

While diplomatic channels are now active at every level, the tightening of visa rules and border closures highlight how quickly relations can deteriorate. For now, both sides appear committed to stepping back from the brink — but the situation remains fragile.

-2025-06-09