Thailand’s Prime Minister announced on Monday new land border restrictions aimed at blocking tourists heading into Cambodia, as a border dispute between the two countries escalates. Paetongtarn Shinawatra said Thailand will restrict border crossings to Cambodia across seven provinces, and halt exports of goods, according to media reports.
Relations between the countries have deteriorated following an armed confrontation in late May.
Ms Shinawatra said in her Monday remarks that her country would boost screening at land borders and block departing tourists. She added that only students, medical patients and others who need to purchase essential goods would be allowed to enter or leave Thailand.
The Prime Minister reportedly said the measures were aimed at blocking people heading toward Cambodia’s casinos, as well as to cripple transnational crime syndicates linked to scam operations in the neighbouring country.
Multiple media outlets had reported that troops from Cambodia and Thailand exchanged fire on May 28 close to Chong Bok, which is in Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province, and near where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet. One Cambodian soldier was reportedly killed.
Starting from June 8, measures including reduced border crossing hours and a ban on Thai nationals crossing the border for non-essential travel have been imposed by Thailand.
While the two sides have flagged their intention to de-escalate the dispute, they continue to implement measures that have kept tensions high.
According to the Associated Press news agency, the Thai army said in a statement late on Monday that it had already implemented the new measures announced by the government at every land border checkpoint between Thailand and Cambodia in five provinces. It added that it was stopping all crossings except for people with essential needs.
Since late May, Cambodia has boycotted some Thai internet services, and blocked electricity and fuel supplies from Thailand.
Monday’s announcement by Ms Shinawatra comes as Thailand’s government is currently grappling with a major internal crisis, triggered by her comments in a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.
In the leaked recording of the call, the Thai Prime Minister was heard saying she was facing domestic pressure and urged Hun Sen not to listen to “the other side” in Thailand, which she said included an outspoken Thai general who oversees the army in the border area.
The second-largest party in Thailand’s ruling coalition, the Bhumjaithai Party, withdrew from government last week, leaving Ms Shinawatra’s coalition with a slimmer majority in parliament.
The withdrawal by the Bhumjaithai Party adds to the uncertainty about several of the government policies, including a bill to legalise casinos in Thailand, which is facing growing opposition.
Last week, a 53,900-signature petition was submitted to Thailand’s Election Commission, calling on the country’s government to hold a national referendum on the legalisation of casinos.
Thailand’s government has defended its plan for the country to host a number of casino resorts, pledging strict regulations and transparency.
