Thailand tightens border security amid tensions with Cambodia
Thailand's top army official designated commanders of two task forces to oversee border crossings with Cambodia as tensions simmer following a skirmish in late May.
Effective from Saturday, the Burapha and Suranaree task forces have been authorized to determine necessary measures at border checkpoints, according to a statement signed by Army Chief Pana Claewplodtook.
The nations are looking to defuse tensions following an exchange of gunfire between troops on May 28 in the disputed Chong Bok border region, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The countries are set to hold talks at a Joint Boundary Commission meeting on June 14 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia's capital.
While the task forces must consider the needs of trade and daily lives of the local populations of both countries, "they may order the closing or opening of any or all border checkpoints under any conditions or time frame deemed appropriate' to protect Thailand's sovereignty, the army said in its statement.
The move follows comments from Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai that border tensions have been exacerbated by Cambodia's reinforcement of its military presence. As a result, Thailand has "deemed it necessary to implement additional measures and to reinforce our military posture accordingly,' he said.
Meanwhile, two border checkpoints in Thailand's eastern Chanthaburi province have been ordered to close temporarily for tourists by a commander of the provincial marine corps task force, The Nation, an English-language news website, reported on Saturday.
The order cites an announcement of martial law in some parts of the province due to the security threat from Cambodia. Still, Cambodian migrant workers employed in Thailand are exempt, and cross-border trade will continue as usual, according to The Nation.
Cross-border trade and custom activity remains operational as usual in Ubon Ratchathani province, Thai Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira said in a post on X upon his visit to the northeastern region. The finance ministry has prepared fiscal measures for all circumstances, he said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NHK
a day ago
- NHK
June 9 NEWSROOM TOKYO Bangkok Live
Lineup: 1. Thailand, Cambodia dial down tensions after clash 2. An uneasy peace in Kashmir, one month on 3. Trump tariffs pose challenges to Southeast Asian farmers
NHK
a day ago
- NHK
Thailand, Cambodia dial down tensions after clash in contested border area
Defense officials from Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to return their troops to positions they held before a fatal clash in a contested border area. Since last month's incident, both sides had been beefing up their military presence along the frontier. Military representatives from the two countries held a meeting over the issue on Sunday. After the talks, the Thai army said it will redeploy its soldiers to positions the two sides agreed on last year. Cambodia's defense ministry says it will send its forces to "appropriate areas" to reduce tensions. The countries' armed forces exchanged fire on May 28th. One Cambodian soldier died in the brief skirmish. The confrontation prompted Thailand to tighten border security with Cambodia. On Saturday, Bangkok said it will cut operating hours at some border crossings and limit tourism in both directions. The countries are set to hold more talks this weekend. Cambodia proposes taking the dispute to the International Court of Justice, but Thailand favors bilateral negotiations.
Yomiuri Shimbun
2 days ago
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Thailand and Cambodia Say They Will Return to Agreed Border Positions after Fatal Clash
Reuters A royalist activist holds a Thai flag as he protests in front of the Royal Embassy of Cambodia, following a recent clash at the Thailand-Cambodia border on May 28, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand, June 6, 2025. BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH, June 8 (Reuters) – Cambodia's Defence Ministry confirmed on Sunday that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to return their troops to previous border positions after a clash in which a Cambodian soldier was killed prompted both to reinforce their military presence. The Cambodian statement, which said both sides wished to ease tensions following the incident in an undemarcated area on May 28, came after Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said both countries were in talks to defuse the situation and would revert to positions agreed in 2024. For days, the two governments have exchanged statements, saying they were committed to finding a peaceful resolution. Neither gave details about where or to what extent their military forces had been reinforced at the weekend. Thailand operates 17 official border crossings with Cambodia, spanning seven provinces along their shared 817 km (508 miles) frontier, Thai government data shows. Both countries have for more than a century contested sovereignty at undemarcated points along their shared border, which was mapped by France in 1907 when Cambodia was its colony. Thailand's Phumtham said both sides hoped the border issue could be fully resolved through bilateral talks, including a meeting of the Joint Boundary Committee on June 14. Cambodia's Foreign Ministry reiterated a request to bring the border disputes to the International Court of Justice in a letter to Thai officials on June 6. 'Given the complexity, historical nature, and sensitivity of these disputes, it is increasingly evident that bilateral dialogue alone may no longer suffice to bring about a comprehensive and lasting solution,' Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said in the note shared with reporters on Sunday. 'A decision rendered by the ICJ, grounded in international law, would offer a fair, impartial, and durable resolution,' he said. The Thai government has said it does not recognise the court's jurisdiction and proposed that all boundary-related issues be resolved through bilateral negotiations. Tensions between the countries escalated in 2008 over an 11th-century Hindu temple, leading to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a week-long exchange of artillery in 2011. In the latest flare up, Thailand cut operating hours at 10 border crossings with Cambodia, citing security concerns. Checkpoints, including the busiest in Thailand's eastern province of Sa Kaeo, halved operating hours on Sunday to 8 a.m. (0100 GMT) to 4 p.m. local time, from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., previously, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told reporters. The governments of Thailand and Cambodia previously enjoyed warmer ties, owing to a friendship between former leaders, Thaksin Shinawatra from Thailand and Cambodia's Hun Sen. Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and Hun Sen's son, Hun Manet, are now the incumbent prime ministers of their countries and the conflict has raised questions over their relationship.
