In this photo released by Agence Kampuchea Press (AKP), Thai soldiers carry barbed wire in Prey Chan village, along the disputed border with Thailand, Wednesday, Sept. 17, 2025. (AKP via AP)

 

Commanders of Thailand's armed forces have unanimously agreed to close the border indefinitely with Cambodia, citing national security concerns. During the fifth meeting of the armed forces chiefs in Bangkok, a unanimous vote led to the decision to shut all Thai-Cambodian border checkpoints until the situation de-escalates. This comes in the wake of recent clashes along the border, resulting in casualties.

 

The meeting at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters included both current and new commanders. The closure aims to address and resolve the current threats perceived by Cambodia. Gen. Songwit Noonphukdi, Chief of the Defence Forces, opened the meeting with a moment of silence for the 15 soldiers and civilians killed in the recent skirmishes.

 

In addition to the border closure, plans to erect fencing were also confirmed. The fencing will be established at the location where both nations mutually agree on the borderline. Additional measures include continuous patrols and surveillance in disputed areas and constructing tactical roads along the border.

 

A new framework for the rules of engagement was approved. The framework will be based on international standards, allowing immediate self-defence actions in case of any detected hostile intentions. These decisions are pending approval by Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit and Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's new cabinet.

 

On Friday, the Thai army began security enhancements by installing the first pole with three CCTV cameras near the main checkpoint to Cambodia. This step is part of increased security measures following the deadly confrontations at the border.

 

English

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Thailand indefinitely closes its border with Cambodia after recent clashes.
• New border security measures include fencing and enhanced surveillance.
• Approved framework allows immediate self-defence during border violations.

Related Stories

 

Thai-Cambodian Borders Shut: PM Anutin Confirms Unrest

Cambodia Condemns Thai Border Clash That Injured 24 Civilians

 

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-09-20

 

 

Two questions:

1) Does the army have the authority to close the border without the government's approval?

 

2) The article cites "recent clashes" as the reason - are these the clashes before the ceasefire aggreement or a new round of clashes after? (Probably should have included that info in the article since it is important information🙄)

Not a good way to mend relations with another country. The borders should be open for trade and work and with checks for those who come in, just as they were before. I don't think Cambodia wants to mess with Thailand's army anymore, although the higher up's don't care because they're many miles away hiding in their homes. 

This is a good example of who is in charge in Thailand... The Government has nothing to say or do it seems..The army can however as they like...

As far back as I can remember the Thai army control everything, when they feel like it they kick the government out, as we all know, 

This border closing is destroying the lives of countless people on both sides....If you had a business near the border your life would be in ruins....

 

And who do you think will be profiting massively from this?...I am talking money raining from the sky in profits....

 

None other than the Army....The generals and all the rest will be stuffing their pockets with all the profits from the fence building, all the cameras, new road building, drones, more guns, etc etc......

 

And the longer it goes on the richer they get.....

 

Expect the Thai tax payer to be footing the bill for purchases at 10x   20x  over cost....

 

 

2 hours ago, SABloke said:

Two questions:

1) Does the army have the authority to close the border without the government's approval?

 

2) The article cites "recent clashes" as the reason - are these the clashes before the ceasefire aggreement or a new round of clashes after? (Probably should have included that info in the article since it is important information🙄)

Regarding point 2, the 2 articles below come from Thursday just past.  I guess AN might not want to spend time padding every story with back-story information in case a few people haven't been able to look at the daily emails with links to news stories.

 

 

Been going on back and forth for centuries, so nothing new here.  These tribes just put up with each other, but never got along.

1 hour ago, redwood1 said:

This border closing is destroying the lives of countless people on both sides....If you had a business near the border your life would be in ruins....

 

And who do you think will be profiting massively from this?...I am talking money raining from the sky in profits....

 

None other than the Army....The generals and all the rest will be stuffing their pockets with all the profits from the fence building, all the cameras, new road building, drones, more guns, etc etc......

 

And the longer it goes on the richer they get.....

 

Expect the Thai tax payer to be footing the bill for purchases at 10x   20x  over cost....

 

 

Yep, that General Boonsin was asked about the people struggling on the border and he basically said "Tough luck for those people, they need to forget about their own prosperity and focus on the country instead.".

I don't think this border is getting opened up anytime soon. 

Probably an idiot question that's been dealt with many times before but it's just crossed my tiny mind ...what is happening with the people who need to do border bounces for their visas?

Just now, wombat said:

Probably an idiot question that's been dealt with many times before but it's just crossed my tiny mind ...what is happening with the people who need to do border bounces for their visas?

Laos

5 minutes ago, wombat said:

Probably an idiot question that's been dealt with many times before but it's just crossed my tiny mind ...what is happening with the people who need to do border bounces for their visas?

 

Say hello Laos.

5 hours ago, webfact said:

Commanders of Thailand's armed forces have unanimously agreed to close the border indefinitely with Cambodia, citing national security concerns. During the fifth meeting of the armed forces chiefs in Bangkok, a unanimous vote led to the decision to shut all Thai-Cambodian border checkpoints until the situation de-escalates. This comes in the wake of recent clashes along the border, resulting in casualties.

Time the governments got together and sorted out the mess...

I wonder who Anutin will send, his communication skills might not be up to scratch

3 hours ago, SABloke said:

Two questions:

1) Does the army have the authority to close the border without the government's approval?

 

 

In Thailand, the military can even topple  own nation's govt(most recent one in 2014).

 

So, why they hesitate to close one of their borders?

 

Seemingly Thai armed forces have above the law power(legal immunity).

None of th military figures arrested/prosecuted when the civilian govt came back in 2023, as never happened before.

 

Probably just be easier to just order a massive artillery strike to flatten these temples and then nothing to argue able.

4 letters. Starts with c and rhymes with poo...

1 minute ago, impulse said:

What starts with c and rhymes with poo?

 

Chew ??

4 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

This is a good example of who is in charge in Thailand... The Government has nothing to say or do it seems..The army can however as they like...

 

Yes indeed. During the 20 years I lived in Thailand, it has always been the Thai Military that has had the final say by supporting pro-military and anti-democracy parties. The massive civilian support for parties like Move Forward and Future Forward posed a danger to the military and its dinosaur establishment, and such parties became banned. Sadly, to exist the Peoples Party must toe the military line - no 112 and Constitution amendments!

4 hours ago, SABloke said:

Two questions:

1) Does the army have the authority to close the border without the government's approval?

 

2) The article cites "recent clashes" as the reason - are these the clashes before the ceasefire aggreement or a new round of clashes after? (Probably should have included that info in the article since it is important information🙄)

I spoke to my Cambodian friend last night and I asked what was happening lately, he said there had been fighting for 2 days now. It’s long from over he said.

1 hour ago, redwood1 said:

 

Say hello Laos.

 

2 hours ago, wombat said:

Probably an idiot question that's been dealt with many times before but it's just crossed my tiny mind ...what is happening with the people who need to do border bounces for their visas?

Fly in ? Or ,  Laos, Malaysia, Singapore. 

31 minutes ago, Burma Bill said:

Yes indeed. During the 20 years I lived in Thailand, it has always been the Thai Military that has had the final say by supporting pro-military and anti-democracy parties.

 

That's a little like saying that a table saw is in charge of what kind of house is built.  It's a tool. Like the military.  

1 hour ago, trucking said:

 

Chew ??

No clue?

41 minutes ago, Gulfsailor said:

No clue?

 

That's 6 letters. Looking for 4

22 hours ago, SABloke said:

Two questions:

1) Does the army have the authority to close the border without the government's approval?

 

2) The article cites "recent clashes" as the reason - are these the clashes before the ceasefire aggreement or a new round of clashes after? (Probably should have included that info in the article since it is important information🙄)

A smudge until the dust settles 

23 hours ago, SABloke said:

Two questions:

1) Does the army have the authority to close the border without the government's approval?

Try and stay up to date with the news perhaps, the government has given the army that approval since the attacks on the 7/11 etc  as well to decide on it's own for actions.

22 hours ago, redwood1 said:

This border closing is destroying the lives of countless people on both sides....If you had a business near the border your life would be in ruins....

 

And who do you think will be profiting massively from this?...I am talking money raining from the sky in profits....

 

None other than the Army....The generals and all the rest will be stuffing their pockets with all the profits from the fence building, all the cameras, new road building, drones, more guns, etc etc......

 

And the longer it goes on the richer they get.....

 

Expect the Thai tax payer to be footing the bill for purchases at 10x   20x  over cost....

 

 

Thailand needs to stop the encroachment by the Cambodians who are expanding their villages into Thai territory.  They are not respecting the border line by removing fencing and defying Thai troops.  

23 hours ago, redwood1 said:

This border closing is destroying the lives of countless people on both sides....If you had a business near the border your life would be in ruins....

 

And who do you think will be profiting massively from this?...I am talking money raining from the sky in profits....

 

None other than the Army....The generals and all the rest will be stuffing their pockets with all the profits from the fence building, all the cameras, new road building, drones, more guns, etc etc......

 

And the longer it goes on the richer they get.....

 

Expect the Thai tax payer to be footing the bill for purchases at 10x   20x  over cost....

 

 

 

No doubt the immediate analysis of the recent conflict will show an urgent need for some significant procurement programmes to replace and update the Army's equipment. The very urgency will require the procurement process to be expedited, bypassing many of the frankly unnecessary and cumbersome processes which are designed to ensure that the money is transparently spent!

 

21 hours ago, captain_shane said:

Yep, that General Boonsin was asked about the people struggling on the border and he basically said "Tough luck for those people, they need to forget about their own prosperity and focus on the country instead.".

I don't think this border is getting opened up anytime soon. 

 

There was a time when cross border trade with Cambodia ( particularly expensive timber hardwoods) was central to the interests of the Army's command. The current generation of leaders have other interests...

 

19 hours ago, hotchilli said:

Time the governments got together and sorted out the mess...

I wonder who Anutin will send, his communication skills might not be up to scratch

He will send whoever the Army tells him to. After all, doing otherwise is what put the kybosh on his predecessor!

9 minutes ago, JAG said:

He will send whoever the Army tells him to. After all, doing otherwise is what put the kybosh on his predecessor!

Yes, he'd probably call them dirty farangs and start another battle

Fight ! They couldn't fight night starvation 🤣😂🤣

1 minute ago, Toby1947 said:

Fight ! They couldn't fight night starvation 🤣😂🤣

 

 

 

.....and the Cambodians less so.