Bangkok (Reuters) -Thailand’s Military Has Closed Border Crossings Into Cambodia to Almost All Travellers, Including Tourists and Traders, Citting Security Concerns Between The Two Southeast Asian Neighbouts Remain Escalad Over A Simmering Border dispute.
The Deterioration in Ties Was Sparked by Brief Armed Classhes in a Border Area That Left One Cambodian Soldier Dead Late Last Month. BOTH GOVERNMENTS HAVE SINCE ANNOUNCED MASSURES Designated to Punish The other, Including Cambodia’s Recent Suspension of All Thai Fuel and Gas Imports.
Thailand Will Now Restict All Vehicles, Tourists and Traders from Crossing at All Land Borders in Seven Provinces Bordering Cambodia, The Military Said in A Statement Issued Late on Monday, Citing Security Concerns.
There are exemptions for humanitarian reasons, such as tose needing medical atttention, studs and other urgent matters at the discretion of seconds units at checkpoints, The Statement Said.
The restrictions “Matched the Current Security Situation, Particularly in Addressing the Conflict in Areas Between Thailand and Cambodia That Continue to Intensify Politically, Diplomatically and Militarily,” The Statement Said.
The Military Said the Measures Would Also Assist in a Crackdown on Illegal Scam Center in Cambodia Flagged by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on Monday.
PAETONGTARN SAID THAILD WOULD STOP CROSS-BORDER SUPPLIES OF ESSENTIALS, INCLUDING ELECTRICITY, TO AREAS WHERE ILLICIT OPERATIONS WER TAKING PLACE.
The Prime Minister has Been Under Fire for Her Handling of the Border Row, Particularly After The Leaking of a Phone Call Beteeen Her and Hun Sen, Cambodia’s Former Leader, that appeared to show her Deniguring a senior Thai Military Commander.
(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-A; Editing by John Mair)
