
Thailand tightens Cambodian border restrictions as tensions rise
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been soaring as the Thai government tightens border restrictions, citing cybercrimes in Cambodia. Phnom Penh has said it is actively working to combat them.
Thailand raised the border restrictions on Monday. Tensions have been escalating since a military clash in May left a Cambodian soldier dead. Most border crossings with Cambodia are closed, except for students, medical patients, and those with essential needs.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra says its measures are targeting transnational online scams based in Cambodia.
A Cambodian government spokesperson said on Tuesday that his country has already taken stringent measures to suppress cybercrimes. He said Thailand has a similar problem with such scams, and accused Paetongtarn of diverting her own nation's issues to Cambodia.
The Thai premier is under pressure from coalition members to show a stronger stance in the disputes. A phone conversation between Paetongtarn and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen earlier this month was leaked and it appeared to show her disrespect for a Thai commander.
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NHK
7 hours ago
- NHK
Thailand tightens Cambodian border restrictions as tensions rise
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been soaring as the Thai government tightens border restrictions, citing cybercrimes in Cambodia. Phnom Penh has said it is actively working to combat them. Thailand raised the border restrictions on Monday. Tensions have been escalating since a military clash in May left a Cambodian soldier dead. Most border crossings with Cambodia are closed, except for students, medical patients, and those with essential needs. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra says its measures are targeting transnational online scams based in Cambodia. A Cambodian government spokesperson said on Tuesday that his country has already taken stringent measures to suppress cybercrimes. He said Thailand has a similar problem with such scams, and accused Paetongtarn of diverting her own nation's issues to Cambodia. The Thai premier is under pressure from coalition members to show a stronger stance in the disputes. A phone conversation between Paetongtarn and Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen earlier this month was leaked and it appeared to show her disrespect for a Thai commander.

Japan Times
a day ago
- Japan Times
Thai party plans no confidence vote against embattled prime minister
Thailand's Bhumjaithai party, which left the ruling coalition last week, said on Tuesday it will seek a parliamentary no confidence vote against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinwatra and her Cabinet, in another blow to the embattled premier. Next week's planned motion will be the first parliamentary test for Paetongtarn, 38, since coming under intense public pressure over her handling of an escalating border row with neighboring Cambodia, which has left the ruling alliance led by her Pheu Thai party hanging on to power by a thread. Bhumjaithai withdrew its support for the government last Wednesday citing the risk of a loss of Thai sovereignty and integrity from the leak of a phone conversation between Paetongtarn and Cambodia's former premier Hun Sen. During the call, Paetongtarn kowtowed before the veteran Cambodian politician and criticized a Thai army commander, a red line in a country where the military has significant clout. She has apologized over the leak. "We have a party resolution to file a no confidence motion against the prime minister," Bhumjaithai spokesperson Boontida Somchai said, adding that the party was inviting other opposition groups to back the move. "When parliament opens, first thing, we will petition a no-confidence motion." Bhumjaithai has 69 seats and would need the support of another 30 lawmakers to launch the motion when parliament reconvenes on July 3. Sorawong Thienthong, tourism minister and Pheu Thai party secretary-general, said the government was not concerned as it had the backing of more than half of the house. "We are not worried. This is the duty of the opposition," Sorawong said. Facing an unprecedented crisis in her young political career, Paetongtarn has refused to back down. On Tuesday she the said the coalition was strong and the government had settled on a Cabinet reshuffle, while approving $3.5 billion worth of infrastructure projects aimed at boosting the flagging economy. "It's settled, I've spoken to all party leaders," she said. "Coalition parties have been fully supportive."


Nikkei Asia
2 days ago
- Nikkei Asia
Thailand blocks tourists from entering Cambodia
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra arrives at Government house in Bangkok on June 23: Thailand and neighboring Cambodia have a border dispute that has strained bilateral ties. © AP BANGKOK (AP) -- Thailand began imposing land border restrictions Monday including blocking tourists heading into Cambodia as the two countries engage in retaliation in their border dispute. Relations between the countries have deteriorated following an armed confrontation May 28 in which one Cambodian soldier was killed in a relatively small, contested territory. While the two sides have agreed to de-escalate their dispute, they continue to implement or threaten measures that have kept tensions high.