Bangkok,
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has firmly stated that border checkpoints with Cambodia will not reopen in the near future, despite alleged external pressures from a third party country, allegedly Japan, to ease restrictions, according to recent military statements. This comes amid ongoing tensions from a deadly border conflict earlier in the year, which led to the indefinite closure of crossings in June and July.
The 2025 Cambodia-Thailand border conflict erupted in May with skirmishes near disputed areas like Ta Muen Thom temple and Ubon Ratchathani, resulting in casualties on both sides, including Thai soldiers and civilians. Escalating incidents, including rocket attacks on Thai facilities, prompted the Thai government to delegate border control to the RTA via a National Security Council decision on June 7th. The army then ordered the closure of all checkpoints, suspending cross-border travel except for humanitarian cases, to safeguard national security and apply economic leverage on Cambodia.
In a statement posted on the RTA’s Facebook page, Lt Gen Nattaphon Nakphanit, a senior army official, reiterated that reopening is contingent on Cambodia fulfilling specific conditions: The withdrawal of heavy weapons from the border, verifiable landmine clearance in contested zones, and intensified crackdowns on online scam operations originating from Cambodian territory. “These measures are essential for ensuring peace and safety along the frontier,” he said, adding that progress must be demonstrated before any gates can resume operations.
The army’s stance has drawn international attention, particularly from allegedly Japan, which has urged both nations to study reopening checkpoints for essential goods transport to maintain regional supply chains. During the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Koh Kong, Cambodia, on September 7-9, Cambodian Defense Minister Gen Tea Seiha highlighted Japan’s proposal as a key discussion point, aiming to alleviate economic disruptions from the closures. Japanese investors in Thailand have reportedly lobbied the Thai government for swift action, citing severed trade links that affect manufacturing and exports.
However, the RTA views such pressures as premature, with military leaders like Second Army Region Commander Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang facing backlash from ultra-nationalist Thais who accuse Japan of prioritizing business interests over Thai sovereignty. Internal Thai discussions, including from the Chanthaburi-Trat Border Development Committee, stress that sensitive disputes in areas like Sa Kaeo and Ban Nong Chan must be resolved first, potentially delaying reopenings even in lower-risk provinces like Chanthaburi and Trat.
While Thailand and Cambodia have pledged de-escalation through joint patrols and information sharing on scam centers—such as a planned meeting in Sa Kaeo on September 16—the border remains sealed. Analysts warn that without compliance on the outlined conditions, economic fallout could worsen, but the RTA prioritizes security, using the closures as a bargaining tool in ongoing diplomatic talks.
Photos: Royal Thai Army.
