Cambodia suspends all cross-border trade with Thailand

Cambodia suspends all cross-border trade with Thailand

The move comes less than 30 minutes after Prime Minister Hun Manet responded to a letter issued by the Thai authority, requesting the partial reopening of selected border crossing points.

The General Department of Immigration (GDI) yesterday suspended the transportation of all goods, both exports and imports, through the international border gates as well as other cross-border checkpoints along the Cambodia-Thailand frontier.

The GDI’s move came less than 30 minutes after Prime Minister Hun Manet responded to a letter issued by the Thai authority, requesting the partial reopening of selected border crossing points, yesterday.

According to a GDI press release, the transport of all categories of goods will be halted – no entries, exits, or transits will be permitted – at any international or other checkpoint gates along the Cambodia-Thailand border.

The measure is being enforced in strict compliance with an instruction from Prime Minister Hun Manet, the statement said.

The restriction will remain in effect until the Royal Thai Government (RTG) agrees to fully reopen all international and cross-border checkpoints, which they had unilaterally closed since June 7, to restore regular trade and transportation activities.

Mr Hun Manet, on his social media, wrote: “On Sunday morning, the Cambodian authority received a letter from the Thai side in Sa Kaeo province, requesting to open some Cambodia-Thailand border crossings and allow trucks to enter and exit, aimed at easing the impact on citizens’ livelihood.”

In his response, the Premier highlighted four key points aimed at clarifying Cambodia’s position on the border issue.

First, Mr Hun Manet affirmed Cambodia’s understanding of the hardships caused by the closure, emphasising that Cambodia refrained from such measures earlier—even after the Mom Bei dispute—because it never intended to escalate tensions or disrupt livelihoods.

Second, he clarified that Cambodia did not initiate the border closures. Rather, the Thai army unilaterally began restricting access, adjusting opening hours, and imposing conditions starting June 7, culminating in a full closure announced by the Thai Government on June 24.

Third, he cited the RTG’s unpredictable political stance and disconnect between its leaders and military as key challenges, which have obstructed efforts to find a consistent, practical, and lasting resolution to the border situation.

Lastly, he reiterated that reopening the border is straightforward if Thailand restores access to its pre-June 7 status and commits to no further unilateral actions, assuring that Cambodia will then reopen and maintain its side of the border without interruption.

“In short, the key to opening the border is in Thailand’s hands, and there is no need to submit a request to Cambodia,” Prime Minister Hun Manet said.

“Please request those in power in Thailand—whether the military or others—to reopen the border and provide clear assurances against further arbitrary closures, the Premier added.

“Once that happens, everything will return to normal.”

Speaking to Khmer Times, economist Duch Darin said, “I think that the most constructive act that Thailand could do would be to take the lead in returning cross-border access back to the status prior to June 7, which would help stabilise and reinvigorate mutual economic benefits.

Darin continued that reopening the border from the Thai side first would offer crucial benefits to Thai businesses, exporters, and industries. “On its part, Cambodia is committed to good-neighbourly cooperation and mutual benefit,” he said.

He added that since Thailand was the first to shut everything down, it would only be reasonable and compatible with the spirit of regional cooperation for the Thai authority to take the lead when it comes to reopening.

khmertimeskh