Picture courtesy of Thai PBS

 

The state-run Transport Company has temporarily suspended its daily bus services from Bangkok to Cambodian cities Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, effective today. This decision comes in response to border crossing restrictions between Thailand and Cambodia.

 

Previously, the company operated round-trip services each day from Bangkok. Buses to Siem Reap departed at 9am, with returns the following day, while journeys to Phnom Penh began at 8am, returning at 8am the next day. The trips spanned 419 km to Siem Reap, priced at 750 baht, and 719 km to Phnom Penh, costing 900 baht.

 

Simultaneously, the Thai army has updated military attaches from 42 countries stationed in Bangkok on the ongoing border dispute with Cambodia. This tension at the border has prompted the temporary suspension of bus services.

 

Residents near the Cambodian border in Thailand's Phnom Dongrak district, Surin province, reported feeling more at ease following a recent agreement between Thailand and Cambodia to withdraw troops, reducing the likelihood of conflict.

 

Village head Sayam Saenkaew noted that despite the agreement, villagers remain cautious, with some constructing trenches and bunkers for safety. The community recalls previous conflicts in 1986 and 2001 that forced them to seek shelter.

 

Nevertheless, life continues with a sense of normalcy in certain areas. The local school remains open, with approximately 400 students attending classes as usual, emphasising the community's resilience amidst uncertainties.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS 2025-06-09

 

 

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

The state-run Transport Company has temporarily suspended its daily bus services from Bangkok to Cambodian cities Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, effective today. This decision comes in response to border crossing restrictions between Thailand and Cambodia.

Childish response

1 hour ago, hotchilli said:

Childish response

I wonder if the passenger loading on the bus service collapsed, meaning it wasn't viable to continue?  I also note that the visitor visas are now limited to 7 days for Thai nationals, further putting negative pressure on passenger numbers?  Might be more to it than politics.

Well since they were lining up tanks, mobilizing an additional army group and generally massing troops on the border, then yeah, i suppose might as well cancel the bus service.

 

Unless of course all that military hardware on show was the Generals getting all excited about showing off their toys 

Look on the bright side, at least the bus will not end up hurtling into a ditch, bursting into flames, killing all on board. Every cloud has a silver lining.

some border runners will not be happy

8 hours ago, Watawattana said:

I wonder if the passenger loading on the bus service collapsed, meaning it wasn't viable to continue?  I also note that the visitor visas are now limited to 7 days for Thai nationals, further putting negative pressure on passenger numbers?  Might be more to it than politics.

 

That's exactly it, but Travel Mart and Giant Ibis, continue to operate cross-border services. Only the Transport Company chooses to suspend them. Then again, they only resumed services in the post Covid period what, 6 months ago? Meanwhile, Cambodian bus operators continue to hold the bulk of market share, as they promptly resumed services immediately following the end of Covid restrictions, 2 years ahead of the Transport Company. 

2 hours ago, Zapitapi said:

some border runners will not be happy

 

Border runners don't use cross-border bus services and who cares about them? Legitimate businessmen like me and tourists care about this situation. Border runners should get a proper visa or live somewhere else. Or scrape together a few Shekels and make a trip out of it, instead of being cheapskates.