Border Thailand Reopens Three Border Checkpoints with Cambodia to Boost Cross-Border Trade

[Georgealbert]

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin

 

Thailand has reopened three key land border checkpoints with Cambodia in Chanthaburi and Trat provinces, allowing cross-border transport of goods to resume under a special easing order aimed at promoting trade and regional cooperation.

 

Vice Admiral Apichart Supprasert, Commander of the Chanthaburi-Trat Border Defence Command, signed Order No. 127/2568 on 17 July 2025, announcing “Measures to Ease Passage at Border Crossings Along the Thai-Cambodian Border.” The move aims to facilitate logistics and encourage bilateral economic activities between the two neighbouring countries.

 

The temporary easing applies to the following three locations, now open daily from 06:00 to 16:00:

 

• Ban Laem Temporary Border Crossing, Thepnimit Subdistrict, Pong Nam Ron District, Chanthaburi

 

• Had Lek Permanent Border Checkpoint, Had Lek Subdistrict, Khlong Yai District, Trat

 

• Ban Subtari Border Trade Point, Thung Khanan Subdistrict, Soi Dao District, Chanthaburi

 

The relaxed measures apply exclusively to authorised traders and transport operators involved in border trade between Thailand and Cambodia. General public access and non-commercial travel remain restricted.

 

Vice Admiral Apichart stressed that the order is designed to support economic recovery and regional trade while maintaining tight security. All relevant agencies have been instructed to enforce strict oversight to prevent any illegal activity or threats to national stability.

 

“These arrangements are temporary and conditional. While facilitating trade, we must remain vigilant to ensure public safety and border security,” he said.

 

The policy reflects Thailand’s commitment to advancing economic partnerships under the formal framework of Thai-Cambodian cooperation, especially in the current regional context where tensions and military activity have prompted heightened alertness on both sides of the border.

 

The decision comes amid increasing concerns about security developments in Cambodia. Thai officials have recently voiced caution over Cambodia’s alleged use of provocative military strategies and a renewed push by Prime Minister Hun Manet for compulsory military conscription, citing national defence.

 

Despite the complex regional backdrop, Thailand’s reopening of these border checkpoints is seen as a measured step to ensure trade continuity without compromising on national interests.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-07-20

 

 

 

[JoePai]

555 Thailand is getting desperate for trade 

[Jim Blue]

Makes you wonder why somebody decided to close it in the first place ?

Unless they wanted to stir something up !

[GanDoonToonPet]

I almost got excited then. I need to do a border hop next week. 🙃

[anemone]

now still waiting for the tourists, pls open 100%. Nobody seems to realize how many cancellations we have on Koh Chang since travellers cannot come into trat, Koh Chang and Koh kood are popular with Cambodia travellers

[HappyExpat57]

9 hours ago, Jim Blue said:

Makes you wonder why somebody decided to close it in the first place ?

Unless they wanted to stir something up !

 

Political posturing/sabre rattling. Thailand and Cambodia are in a beef over ownership of territory. It seems Cambodia recently planted some land mines that injured Thai military.

[Thumbs]

Is this a government decision or is he taking it upon himself to do this? They just accused Cambodia of planting landmines few days ago injuring several soldiers 

[hotchilli]

On 7/20/2025 at 7:27 AM, JoePai said:

555 Thailand is getting desperate for trade 

The puffed up chests slowly deflating

[Felton Jarvis]

It's about time. Closing borders benefits no one.

[Srikcir]

39 minutes ago, HappyExpat57 said:

seems Cambodia recently planted some land mines that injured Thai military

On the other hand:

https://www.nationthailand.com/news/asean/40052793

• Cambodian Ministry of Defence spokesperson Lt Gen Malis Socheata stated via the ministry's official Facebook page that Thai soldiers stepped on a landmine at a village in Morakot commune, Choam Khsant district of Preah Vihear province—clearly placing the incident inside Cambodia.
• Cambodian official Heng Ratana, Director-General of the Cambodian Mine Action Authority (CMAA), alleges that Thai troops had planted new landmines along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Frankly, childish pettiness on both sides unbecoming of each sovereignty.

[GanDoonToonPet]

Reminds me of a song...sorry, couldn't resist 🤪

 

 

[garzhe]

On 7/20/2025 at 2:06 AM, Georgealbert said:

 

Picture courtesy of Amarin

 

Thailand has reopened three key land border checkpoints with Cambodia in Chanthaburi and Trat provinces, allowing cross-border transport of goods to resume under a special easing order aimed at promoting trade and regional cooperation.

 

Vice Admiral Apichart Supprasert, Commander of the Chanthaburi-Trat Border Defence Command, signed Order No. 127/2568 on 17 July 2025, announcing “Measures to Ease Passage at Border Crossings Along the Thai-Cambodian Border.” The move aims to facilitate logistics and encourage bilateral economic activities between the two neighbouring countries.

 

The temporary easing applies to the following three locations, now open daily from 06:00 to 16:00:

 

• Ban Laem Temporary Border Crossing, Thepnimit Subdistrict, Pong Nam Ron District, Chanthaburi

 

• Had Lek Permanent Border Checkpoint, Had Lek Subdistrict, Khlong Yai District, Trat

 

• Ban Subtari Border Trade Point, Thung Khanan Subdistrict, Soi Dao District, Chanthaburi

 

The relaxed measures apply exclusively to authorised traders and transport operators involved in border trade between Thailand and Cambodia. General public access and non-commercial travel remain restricted.

 

Vice Admiral Apichart stressed that the order is designed to support economic recovery and regional trade while maintaining tight security. All relevant agencies have been instructed to enforce strict oversight to prevent any illegal activity or threats to national stability.

 

“These arrangements are temporary and conditional. While facilitating trade, we must remain vigilant to ensure public safety and border security,” he said.

 

The policy reflects Thailand’s commitment to advancing economic partnerships under the formal framework of Thai-Cambodian cooperation, especially in the current regional context where tensions and military activity have prompted heightened alertness on both sides of the border.

 

The decision comes amid increasing concerns about security developments in Cambodia. Thai officials have recently voiced caution over Cambodia’s alleged use of provocative military strategies and a renewed push by Prime Minister Hun Manet for compulsory military conscription, citing national defence.

 

Despite the complex regional backdrop, Thailand’s reopening of these border checkpoints is seen as a measured step to ensure trade continuity without compromising on national interests.

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Amarin 2025-07-20

 

 

 

Im sure they will open before next high season. Neither can afford to lose any more tourism

[isaanistical]

1 hour ago, HappyExpat57 said:

 

Political posturing/sabre rattling. Thailand and Cambodia are in a beef over ownership of territory. It seems Cambodia recently planted some land mines that injured Thai military.

This daft Preah Vihear issue has been bubbling for more than a century and sometimes boils over, conveniently at times of strife for one or both "governments". It usually coincides with explicit or implicit threats of military intervention in said "governments".

Not funny for the lad who lost his leg, of course. Perhaps they should make some chinless UK aristo walk the border to see where the rest of the mines are (cf Angola).

[Burma Bill]

On 7/20/2025 at 7:27 AM, JoePai said:

555 Thailand is getting desperate for trade 

 

Yes indeed.

Our MAKRO in Siem Reap has set up special counters for the display of selections of locally grown Cambodian fruit and vegetables, something never seen before! Great for the Cambodian farmers, tough s..t for the Thai farmers! Many consumer goods and food items are now imported from Vietnam and, of course, China. Thailand is definitely the loser in Cambodia these days. 

[Aussie999]

58 minutes ago, isaanistical said:

This daft Preah Vihear issue has been bubbling for more than a century and sometimes boils over, conveniently at times of strife for one or both "governments". It usually coincides with explicit or implicit threats of military intervention in said "governments".

Not funny for the lad who lost his leg, of course. Perhaps they should make some chinless UK aristo walk the border to see where the rest of the mines are (cf Angola).

You were doing ok, until the last paragraph... irrelevant, irrational and illogical.

[Sydebolle]

Every day is school day ........ today I learnt that it takes a Vice Admiral to fix a land border issue, apparently. 

Up to now I always thought that such Admirals, like Commodores were naval related job but - as said - every day is school day. 

What a joke this all is ............. ridiculous! 

[Espanol]

8 hours ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

I almost got excited then. I need to do a border hop next week. 🙃

 

 

"The relaxed measures apply exclusively to authorised traders and transport operators involved in border trade between Thailand and Cambodia.

General public access and non-commercial travel remain restricted"

 

 

[thaibreaker]

32 minutes ago, Espanol said:

 

 

"The relaxed measures apply exclusively to authorised traders and transport operators involved in border trade between Thailand and Cambodia.

General public access and non-commercial travel remain restricted"

 

 

 

I think he got that. That's why he almost got excited..

[isaanistical]

2 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

You were doing ok, until the last paragraph... irrelevant, irrational and illogical.

Irrelevant? Tell that to the soldier who trod on the mine. The only real casualty of this nonsense.

 

Clearly no need to instruct you about illogical, etc.

[isaanistical]

52 minutes ago, Espanol said:

General public access and non-commercial travel remain restricted"

True what it says, but what it means is not "restricted" (ie limited access) but "closed".

[thecyclist]

17 hours ago, GanDoonToonPet said:

I almost got excited then. I need to do a border hop next week. 🙃

I almost got mad. I just bought a ticket to PP. Would have preferred to travel overland. 

[soi3eddie]

 

My Cambodian GF normally uses Ban Laem to cross to see mum and dad. Still closed to general travelers. Tomorrow, she flies Bangkok to Siem Reap. Airlines are making out like bandits whilst local populations struggle with no cross border trade. The R/T flight cost was $215 USD for a 45 minutes flight. She's worried about getting back into Thailand, despite having a 1 year Thai visa and multi re-entry permit. Told her flights not an issue (at present). If there is a problem, she'll come to me in the UK (she has a valid UK visa). I hope this border dispute is over soon. The temple territory issue has been going on far too long to the detriment of ordinary citizens on both sides. 

 

[Aussie999]

On 7/21/2025 at 1:45 PM, isaanistical said:

Irrelevant? Tell that to the soldier who trod on the mine. The only real casualty of this nonsense.

 

Clearly no need to instruct you about illogical, etc.

Go back and read your last paragraph...

This has nothing to do with Britain...as I said irrelevant...geez mate.

[soi3eddie]

My GF flew to Siem Reap today to see family. She said plane was full. I asked if there were a lot of Farangs - she said few. Asked about Cambodians - very few. Thais? Almost all were Thais. Asked if they were tourists - No! She beleives they were all heading to work at Casinos. Strange. Not sure if that is the case, but why so many Thais heading to Cambodia?

 

[Burma Bill]

1 hour ago, soi3eddie said:

My GF flew to Siem Reap today to see family. She said plane was full. I asked if there were a lot of Farangs - she said few. Asked about Cambodians - very few. Thais? Almost all were Thais. Asked if they were tourists - No! She beleives they were all heading to work at Casinos. Strange. Not sure if that is the case, but why so many Thais heading to Cambodia?

 

 Yes, I am certain this is the case. 

When I worked for the Tourist Police in Chiang Rai, it was well known that many Thai people worked in the casinos across the border from Mae Sai in Tachilek,  Burma. They were employed in croupier, cashier and admin posts. The more mundane jobs (catering, cleaning etc.) were for the Burmese people.

Although I now live in Siem Reap, I am not aware of similar arrangements with the casinos in Cambodia, but could be a reason.

 

As we all know, Thai people like to gamble and as all the land borders into Cambodia are currently closed to ordinary travelers and tourists, the only way Thai people can gamble in Cambodian casinos is to fly to either Siem Reap, Phnom Penh or Sihanoukville where onward travel overland will take them to the casinos.

[isaanistical]

19 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

Go back and read your last paragraph...

This has nothing to do with Britain...as I said irrelevant...geez mate.

It's about mines and (in my comment) about mine clearance. To make it really simple for you, I suggested  that certain English nobs (I am euphemising to stop AN getting prosecuted,khao chai mai?) could usefully take an interest in this part of the world too.

 

Still not au fait? See:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crenllxwj8wo

 

geez, mate.

[Aussie999]

1 hour ago, isaanistical said:

It's about mines and (in my comment) about mine clearance. To make it really simple for you, I suggested  that certain English nobs (I am euphemising to stop AN getting prosecuted,khao chai mai?) could usefully take an interest in this part of the world too.

 

Still not au fait? See:

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crenllxwj8wo

 

geez, mate.

Geez mate, I repeat.

"Go back and read your last paragraph...

 

This has nothing to do with Britain...as I said irrelevant," I can't make it any clearer.