Thailand has announced new travel restrictions prohibiting tourists from entering Cambodia amidst a deepening border dispute between the two nations. All vehicles and individuals attempting to cross from various checkpoints in Thailand into Cambodia will face these new limitations, which have also extended to flights into Siem Reap, the popular Cambodian destination.
The Thai military underscored that these measures were introduced to align with the "current security situation" following a series of armed confrontations that left one Cambodian soldier dead in May. Relations between Thailand and Cambodia have deteriorated significantly, marking a period of hostility not seen in over ten years.
In retaliation, Cambodia has enacted its own restrictions against Thai imports, encompassing a wide array of goods from fruits and vegetables to electricity and even digital media, such as Thai television dramas and films. Limited exceptions to the travel ban may be allowed for individuals requiring humanitarian assistance, including students or medical patients, at the discretion of checkpoint officials.
Additionally, the Thai Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has expressed her commitment to combatting scams originating from Cambodia, which includes proposals to suspend internet services utilized by the Cambodian security forces. Echoing a previous clampdown on travel to Myanmar due to similar concerns, these restrictions further illustrate the extent of the conflict.
The diplomatic crisis has intensified significantly following the emergence of a controversial phone call between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, where she referred to him affectionately and suggested disregarding a Thai military official. Her comments have sparked criticism of her leadership style, potentially jeopardizing her coalition government as a major partner has withdrawn from the alliance. The age-old tensions between Thailand and Cambodia can be traced back over a century to the demarcation of borders established during the French colonial period in Cambodia, underscoring the long-standing complexities between the nations.
The Thai military underscored that these measures were introduced to align with the "current security situation" following a series of armed confrontations that left one Cambodian soldier dead in May. Relations between Thailand and Cambodia have deteriorated significantly, marking a period of hostility not seen in over ten years.
In retaliation, Cambodia has enacted its own restrictions against Thai imports, encompassing a wide array of goods from fruits and vegetables to electricity and even digital media, such as Thai television dramas and films. Limited exceptions to the travel ban may be allowed for individuals requiring humanitarian assistance, including students or medical patients, at the discretion of checkpoint officials.
Additionally, the Thai Prime Minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, has expressed her commitment to combatting scams originating from Cambodia, which includes proposals to suspend internet services utilized by the Cambodian security forces. Echoing a previous clampdown on travel to Myanmar due to similar concerns, these restrictions further illustrate the extent of the conflict.
The diplomatic crisis has intensified significantly following the emergence of a controversial phone call between Paetongtarn and former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, where she referred to him affectionately and suggested disregarding a Thai military official. Her comments have sparked criticism of her leadership style, potentially jeopardizing her coalition government as a major partner has withdrawn from the alliance. The age-old tensions between Thailand and Cambodia can be traced back over a century to the demarcation of borders established during the French colonial period in Cambodia, underscoring the long-standing complexities between the nations.
