Cambodia Slams Thailand Over Border Curbs Amid Growing Tensions

[geovalin]

Banteay Meanchey administration

 

Phnom Penh — Cambodia has accused Thailand of fuelling regional tensions after Bangkok imposed sweeping restrictions on land crossings, blocking most tourist travel and disrupting trade just weeks after a fatal border clash.

 

The Thai military introduced tighter controls on Monday, following an order from Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to restrict border crossings to essential travellers only — including students and medical patients. The move effectively shuts out thousands of tourists and has drawn sharp criticism from Phnom Penh.

 

“This is an escalation,” said Cambodian government spokesman Pen Bona on Tuesday. “We will not initiate any closure, but we will match Thailand’s actions if necessary.”

 

Relations between the two neighbours have been strained since an armed confrontation on 28 May in a contested border zone left one Cambodian soldier dead. Despite pledges to de-escalate, both sides have ramped up retaliatory measures.

 

Cambodia has responded with bans on Thai produce, internet services, and energy imports. Before the boycott, roughly 30% of Cambodia’s fuel came from Thailand. Prime Minister Hun Manet visited frontline troops this week, declaring that Cambodia does not seek conflict but “cannot stand by and let us be abused.”

 

The row has deepened with accusations of political gamesmanship. Cambodia bristled at Thailand’s recent measures targeting alleged online scam hubs in Cambodia — a move Thailand insists is part of a broader crackdown on cybercrime across Southeast Asia.

 

Pen Bona acknowledged Cambodia faces issues with online fraud but accused Bangkok of hypocrisy. “They are trying to divert the story from Thailand to Cambodia,” he said.

 

Tensions flared further when a senior Thai official filed a police complaint against Cambodia’s Senate President Hun Sen, accusing him of threatening Thai national security. In response, Hun Sen’s spokesman Chea Thyrith dismissed the claim as “childish games” and challenged Thai authorities to take the matter to the International Court of Justice.

 

With cross-border trade disrupted and diplomatic rhetoric intensifying, the once-stable Cambodia–Thailand relationship appears increasingly fragile. Both sides now face mounting pressure to dial back hostilities before the dispute spirals further.

 

-2025-06-25

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NOTE
Cambodia cut the  electric and interent,  Thailand did NOT!!!!

Cambodia, ( Hun SEn) is making it worse every time he posts on FB