Travellers in Thailand have been blocked from crossing over into Cambodia amid an escalating border dispute.
The restrictions apply to any vehicle or person trying to enter Cambodia from checkpoints across several Thai provinces, as well as foreign tourists flying into Siem Reap.
Relations between the two Southeast Asian countries have deteriorated following an armed confrontation on 28 May in which one Cambodian soldier was killed in a relatively small, contested territory.
Tourists in Thailand banned from crossing border into Cambodia
Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Monday that Thailand will boost screening at land borders and block departing tourists.
Only students, medical patients and others who need to purchase essential goods will be allowed to enter or leave Thailand for Cambodia, meaning thousands of travellers are having to rethink plans.
She said the measures were aimed at stopping people heading toward Cambodia’s “lucrative casinos”, but it appeared that all tourists would be blocked from crossing the border.
The Thai army said in a statement later on Monday that it had implemented the measures at every land border checkpoint between Thailand and Cambodia in five provinces, and that it was stopping all crossings except for people with essential needs.
Paetongtarn added that foreign tourists will also be banned from taking flights from Thailand to the popular Cambodian resort town of Siem Reap, the closest airport to the famed Angkor Wat temple complex.
The government has not indicated when restrictions will be lifted, and aviation authorities are bracing for a potentially lengthy impasse.
The UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office FCDO has issued a warning to travellers.
“Take extra care and stay alert in border areas and follow the instructions of local authorities, especially at tourist destinations such as the Preah Vihear temple, the Ta Kwai temple and the Ta Muen Thom temple. There are also unexploded landmines in the border area. Stay on marked paths especially around Ta Krabey.”
Thailand calls out scam networks luring foreign tourists
The Thai government says the new restrictions are not only a political response but also a move to crack down on illegal operations based in Cambodia.
Thailand’s military leaders have accused transnational scam operations – with Cambodia functioning as a hub – of exploiting border loopholes and online networks to lure victims, including foreign tourists.
They say scammers entrap victims through false romantic ploys, bogus investment pitches and illegal gambling schemes.
Cambodia, for its part, has boycotted some Thai internet services and blocked electricity and fuel supplies from Thailand in response to the border dispute.
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