Latest news with #BuraphaTaskForce
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Thai troops seize 13,000 untaxed cigarette packs hidden in sugarcane field
Burapha Task Force soldiers, along with excise officials, seized over 13,000 packs of untaxed foreign cigarettes hidden in a sugarcane plantation near the Thai–Cambodian border in Sa Kaeo province early Sunday. The joint operation by the Burapha Task Force, the Aranyaprathet Special Task Unit, and the 1204th Ranger Company began around 12.30am during a patrol in the border area. Officers spotted 15 suspicious sacks hidden about 10 metres from the Khong Nam Sai canal, which marks part of the frontier, in Ban Non Khilek, Phansuk sub-district, Aranyaprathet district. A search revealed a large quantity of untaxed foreign-brand cigarettes, including 4,500 large packs of Mond, 830 small packs of Mond, 770 large packs of Capital, and 6,990 small packs of Oris — a total of 13,090 packs. The seized goods were handed over to Sa Kaeo provincial excise officials for legal action. Authorities believe the cigarettes were smuggled across the border for sale in local markets, avoiding tax duties. An investigation is under way to identify those behind the smuggling operation.
Straits Times
26-07-2025
- Straits Times
Over 1,000 Cambodian workers rush to return home amid border clashes, crowding Thai checkpoint
The workers cited fears stemming from the fighting between the Thai and Cambodian armies. BANGKOK - Over 1,000 Cambodian workers flock to Ban Khlong Luek Border Checkpoint to return home due to fears from ongoing clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops . Over 1,000 Cambodian workers on July 26 gathered at the Ban Khlong Luek Border Checkpoint in Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province, preparing to return to Cambodia due to the ongoing border clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces. The workers, many with their children and belongings, filled the entrance to the passenger terminal at the checkpoint. The workers, mostly employed in Thailand, cited fears stemming from the fighting between the Thai and Cambodian armies. Additionally, social media rumours circulated about Thai extremist groups targeting and attacking Cambodians, which heightened their anxiety. As a result, the workers hurried to leave Thailand and return home, with many arriving throughout the night. They hoped that Thai authorities would allow them to cross the border, as was permitted a few days earlier, but were informed by officials that the border would not be opened that day, leaving many workers disappointed. Mr Charin Phuchai, the District Chief of Aranyaprathet, along with police from the Klong Luek Police Station, coordinated with the Cambodian Consulate General in Thailand to move the workers to a temporary waiting area at the Municipal Market 2 building in Aranyaprathet Municipality, for better crowd management and safety. As the checkpoint lacked facilities to accommodate such a large number of people, the workers were relocated to the temporary site while awaiting further instructions from the Burapha Task Force, which supervises the area, regarding the possibility of reopening the border for their return. THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Almost half of planned 30,000 flats in Tengah to be completed by end-2025: Chee Hong Tat Asia Death toll climbs as Thai-Cambodia clashes continue despite calls for ceasefire Multimedia Lights dimmed at South-east Asia's scam hub but 'pig butchering' continues Singapore Black belt in taekwondo, Grade 8 in piano: S'pore teen excels despite condition that limits movements Asia Where's Jho Low? Looking for 1MDB fugitive in Shanghai's luxury estate Asia Thousands rally in downtown Kuala Lumpur calling for the resignation of PM Anwar Life SG60 F&B icons: Honouring 14 heritage brands that have never lost their charm Business Can STI continue its defiant climb in second half of 2025?
The Star
29-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Hun Manet: Thailand asked to reopen border, insists Cambodia didn't start closure
PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet (pic) took to his official Facebook page on Sunday (June 29) to share an image of a document from Thailand's Burapha Task Force, addressed to the Sa Kaeo Immigration Police Superintendent, requesting a temporary relaxation of border crossing restrictions for Thai cargo trucks. Hun Manet stated that Cambodian authorities had received the request from their Thai counterparts in Sa Kaeo that same morning, urging the partial reopening of several border checkpoints to ease the economic hardship of people on both sides. He then issued a public clarification directed at both Cambodian and Thai citizens: 'Cambodia understands the difficulties faced by people in both countries due to the border closures. Let it be clear—we were not the ones who initiated these closures.' Hun Manet emphasised that Cambodia had not closed any border checkpoints since the late May border tension erupted in the tri-border area, insisting that Phnom Penh had no intention of escalating the dispute or disrupting cross-border movement and trade. Instead, he accused Thai forces of unilaterally initiating the closures, starting on June 7, by adjusting opening hours and limiting cross-border access without bilateral coordination. He claimed that this continued until June 24, when the Thai government ordered a complete closure, citing national security concerns. 'The political ambiguity and unpredictable shifts in Thailand's stance, along with inconsistencies between what Thai leaders say and what their military enforces on the ground, have become major obstacles to achieving a clear, stable, and lasting solution,' he said. Hun Manet declared that resolving the border issue is "very simple": if Thailand reopens the border unilaterally—just as it unilaterally closed it—and guarantees no future unilateral closures, Cambodia will reopen its side within five hours. The post followed Thailand's announcement earlier in the day that it would temporarily ease border restrictions for a seven-day period, based on orders from the First Army Region and the Burapha Task Force. The move was intended to alleviate the economic impact on local businesses and allow the clearance of cargo vehicles stranded on both sides—especially those pre-registered with Thai customs before June 25, 2025. Thailand's border relaxation (June 29 – July 5): Nong Ian–Stung Bot (permanent checkpoint): Up to 100 trucks/day (50 in, 50 out) | Operating: 8am–4pm Khao Din (permanent checkpoint): Up to 100 trucks/day (50 in, 50 out) | Operating: 8am–4pm Nong Prue (temporary trade checkpoint): Up to 40 trucks/day (20 in, 20 out) | Operating: 8am–12pm Thailand has stipulated that trucks returning to its territory must not carry any cargo, and all cross-border activities under this temporary measure must be completed within seven days. Thai authorities stressed that this was a humanitarian and economic relief effort, not a full reopening of the border, and that it should not be interpreted as a political signal amid ongoing tensions. - The Nation/ANN
Straits Times
29-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Cambodia closes off cargo traffic from crossing border with Thailand
Thai police officers and a soldier standing guard at the Chong Jom border checkpoint along the border between Thailand and Cambodia on June 11. PHOTO: EPA-EFE Cambodia's General Department of Immigration announced that it will not permit any type of cargo transport to enter, exit, or transit through any international border checkpoints or regional checkpoints along the Cambodian-Thai border. In a statement issued on June 29, the department said the ban will be enforced in accordance with a directive from Prime Minister Hun Manet, who was responding to measures imposed by Thailand on June 7 and again on June 23. 'This measure will remain in effect until the Thai side fully reopens all international and regional border checkpoints, which Thailand unilaterally closed, to resume normal operations as they were before June 7, 2025,' said the statement. Cambodia previously banned the import of Thai fruit and vegetables and suspended the import of oil and gas from Thailand. The measures were taken by the Cambodian leadership in response to various threats from Thailand. On June 23, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ordered Thai authorities to close border crossings in seven provinces, except for medical patients and students, citing the need to combat online scam operations and cross-border crimes. Following the announcement by Cambodia, Thailand's Burapha Task Force, which oversees the Thai-Cambodian border, requested that their immigration office in Sa Kaeo province allow cargo transport to enter and exit Cambodia through certain border checkpoints. However, Mr Hun Manet instructed the Thai side to request the military – or whoever has the actual authority – to reopen the borders that have been unilaterally closed or restricted since June 7. 'If Thai authorities and Thai citizens wish to see the Cambodian-Thai border checkpoints reopened, there is no need to request Cambodia. 'Please request those with real authority in Thailand, whether the military or others, to restore the border checkpoints to their normal state as before June 7, and provide clear assurances that there will be no further unilateral closures or openings. That will resolve the matter. Everything will return to normal operations as before,' he said on social media. THE PHNOM PENH POST/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
26-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand grants 1,000 Cambodians daily access to Ban Khlong Luek border crossing
BANGKOK: The First Army Area on Thursday (June 26) issued an urgent directive to relevant agencies concerning the Thailand-Cambodia border, allowing Cambodian and Thai citizens to cross the border and return to their home countries under humanitarian grounds. The new measures permit up to 1,000 Cambodians daily to pass through the Ban Khlong Luek Border Checkpoint in Sa Kaeo Province to return home. The military has clarified that this arrangement adheres to humanitarian principles while maintaining the same operational hours for opening and closing the border. Only Cambodians who are legally registered in Thailand and possess a Border Pass issued by their home province will be allowed to return. The designated vehicles must be authorised by the authorities, and they will be accompanied by officers throughout the journey. Passports will not be accepted for entry or exit, and illegal workers or new individuals will not be permitted to enter Thailand. This initiative, driven by the Burapha Task Force, is in line with the government's commitment to address the situation humanely, allowing those who need to return home the opportunity to do so while strictly maintaining border security. An example of the temporary border crossing includes the Ban Khlong Luek Border Checkpoint in Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo Province, where Cambodian workers can return between 8:00–9:30, 10:30-12:00, and 13:00-14:00 daily, with a limit of 300, 300, 400 people per session, respectively. Only motorcycles and private cars with oversight will be permitted. Additionally, special hours have been set for Cambodian students to return home, between 06:00–08:00 in the morning and 17:00–19:00 in the evening. Students must present clear documentation confirming their status, and no general public members are allowed to join the convoys. For patients requiring medical treatment in Thailand, they will be allowed to cross into Thailand with a Border Pass and must provide an official medical certificate from Cambodian doctors. They must also travel in approved vehicles, such as ambulances or patient transport vehicles. Passports will not be accepted, and no outsiders will be allowed to accompany them. The First Army Area has stressed that these measures are not a permanent reopening of the border, and the policy does not ease restrictions for Cambodians to enter Thailand again. Instead, it is a controlled, humanitarian effort to allow returning citizens while maintaining tight control over the border situation. Meanwhile, freight trucks and border trade activities authorised by customs checkpoints will continue as normal from 06:00–18:00, with strict inspections in place as usual. - The Nation/ANN
