Immigration Thailand Eases Border Rules with Cambodia, Offers Trade Lifeline

[webfact]

In this file photo released by Royal Thai Army, a Thai police officer talks to people near a border checkpoint between Thailand and Cambodia in Sa Kaeo Province, Thailand, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Royal Thai Army via AP)

 

In a major development, the Royal Thai Army (RTA) has temporarily relaxed border rules at four key checkpoints in Sa Kaeo province. This follows days of intense restrictions due to a political spat between Thailand and Cambodia.

 

The change, announced by the Burapha Task Force, addresses the plight of affected locals and traders caught in the crisis. Many on both sides have been struggling as the dispute disrupted trade and daily life. The easing of rules is a glimmer of hope for those who've been waiting anxiously to cross the border.

 

The adjustments apply to four checkpoints: Khlong Luek (Aranyaprathet district), Khao Din (Khlong Hat), Taphraya (Taphraya), and Nong Preu (Aranyaprathet). Thais stranded in Cambodia can now return home with their vehicles through Khlong Luek and Khao Din from 8am to 4pm and via Taphraya and Nong Preu from 8am to noon.

 

Khlong Luek, the primary gateway for goods and people, plays a crucial role in the local economy. Daily trade through these checkpoints is valued at approximately 330 million Baht. The resumption is crucial for sustaining commerce in the region.

 

The army's plans also include allowing 1,000 Cambodians to enter Thailand at Khlong Luek and Khao Din, specifically to purchase goods. Taphraya and Nong Preu will permit up to 300 Cambodians on similar terms. Importantly, these crossings are restricted to bicycles, with organised entry times per checkpoint to manage flow.

 

Visiting Khlong Luek, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra engaged with local officials to evaluate the situation's impact on businesses. "We want to see the impact of this policy and what the government can do to help," she stated, emphasising a commitment to finding solutions.

 

Simultaneously, former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was seen in Oddar Meanchey province, reinforcing efforts to address the cross-border stalemate from the Cambodian side.

 

Temporary relaxation and resumed trade bring hope to local communities awaiting diplomatic progress. These measures offer respite as commerce restarts and both nations continue discussions to resolve underlying tensions.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-27

 

 

[Hawaiian]

32 minutes ago, webfact said:

In this file photo released by Royal Thai Army, a Thai police officer talks to people near a border checkpoint between Thailand and Cambodia in Sa Kaeo Province, Thailand, Tuesday, June 24, 2025. (Royal Thai Army via AP)

 

In a major development, the Royal Thai Army (RTA) has temporarily relaxed border rules at four key checkpoints in Sa Kaeo province. This follows days of intense restrictions due to a political spat between Thailand and Cambodia.

 

The change, announced by the Burapha Task Force, addresses the plight of affected locals and traders caught in the crisis. Many on both sides have been struggling as the dispute disrupted trade and daily life. The easing of rules is a glimmer of hope for those who've been waiting anxiously to cross the border.

 

The adjustments apply to four checkpoints: Khlong Luek (Aranyaprathet district), Khao Din (Khlong Hat), Taphraya (Taphraya), and Nong Preu (Aranyaprathet). Thais stranded in Cambodia can now return home with their vehicles through Khlong Luek and Khao Din from 8am to 4pm and via Taphraya and Nong Preu from 8am to noon.

 

Khlong Luek, the primary gateway for goods and people, plays a crucial role in the local economy. Daily trade through these checkpoints is valued at approximately 330 million Baht. The resumption is crucial for sustaining commerce in the region.

 

The army's plans also include allowing 1,000 Cambodians to enter Thailand at Khlong Luek and Khao Din, specifically to purchase goods. Taphraya and Nong Preu will permit up to 300 Cambodians on similar terms. Importantly, these crossings are restricted to bicycles, with organised entry times per checkpoint to manage flow.

 

Visiting Khlong Luek, Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra engaged with local officials to evaluate the situation's impact on businesses. "We want to see the impact of this policy and what the government can do to help," she stated, emphasising a commitment to finding solutions.

 

Simultaneously, former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was seen in Oddar Meanchey province, reinforcing efforts to address the cross-border stalemate from the Cambodian side.

 

Temporary relaxation and resumed trade bring hope to local communities awaiting diplomatic progress. These measures offer respite as commerce restarts and both nations continue discussions to resolve underlying tensions.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-06-27

 

 

Again and again it's the local economy that pays the price for nonsensical political border disputes.  Most locals are just trying to survive and could care less about "saving face."

[NoMoonLogistics]

Ok for some. Not for any of us. Nor for any of the other 100s of 1000s of traders and cross-border workers along the rest of the whole border line either.

 

My guess is that this is another foul putrid "special arrangement".

 

The army, who controls this crucial border crossing, is making war with the Thaksins and this phony border dispute is thier chosen battleground >> but this has also caused a disruption to thier own lucrative cross border trading.

 

So they make a bit of a win win deal. The PM comes up to bleed her heart with all the poor bloody citizery on the border - and announces she has just won them some concessions >> The army has allowed a limited number of crossings.

 

My money say the army's business functionaries will be the first in line to get the limited number if daily passes. And the PM creates the illusion that she a/ cares b/ still has some power in this matter.

 

Win win - but for only  for the chosen few. (the army, by the way, lost nothing. They still have absolute control of the borders >> and the PM does not.)

[Srikcir]

11 hours ago, webfact said:

The army's plans also include allowing 1,000 Cambodians to enter Thailand

I would think it would be a nation's government that handles issues of border control (ie., sovereignty) versus the military. 

As such the government would direct its military as required to execute the government's border policies. 

But it seems in Thailand there is a fine line between "government" and "military" wherein the latter takes the lead.

[black tabby12345]

Very smart and practical decision.

Thai-Cambodian  cross border trade is said to generate over 174 billion Baht a year.

And Thailand is the bigger beneficiary (with huge trade surplus) of that deal.

Simply cannot afford to toss it away for stupid  territorial dispute.