Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on June 22 ordered the permanent closure of the two border control stations of Choub Korki and Choam in Udor Meanchey province, effective immediately.
The announcement came after Hun Manet received news from Provincial Governor Udor Meanchey that Thailand's Military Region 2 unilaterally closed the Chong Sai Taku control station opposite Choub Korki, without prior notification or coordination with Cambodia.
Prime Minister Hun Manet said his decision was in response to a repeated unilateral act by the Thai military, which has repeatedly closed access points along the border without any bilateral consultation mechanism.
Previously, on June 21, Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, commander of Thailand's Military Region 2, ordered the closure of Chong Sai Taku border gate in Buriram province, opposite the Choub Korki checkpoint on the Cambodian side. This move is said to have made travel, trade and exchange in the border area difficult.
Prime Minister Hun Manet also accused the Thai military of repeatedly applying similar measures since June 7, affecting the lives of people on both sides of the border.
Mr. Hun Manet affirmed that Cambodia has no policy of disrupting the normal lives of the people, but if the pressure actions from Thailand continue, Cambodia is ready to have corresponding reactions.
Speaking to the public, Hun Manet stressed that there was no need to hold formal negotiations to resume border activities. According to him, as long as the Thai army restores operating conditions as before June 7, Cambodia will immediately reopen control stations within 5 hours.
However, Hun Manet also stressed that in the current context, he does not see any reason to conduct any bilateral talks with Thailand on reopening border access points.
So far, Thailand has not responded officially to Cambodia's decision to close or called for a reversal of unilateral actions from Prime Minister Hun Manet. The border situation between the two countries continues to be tense and shows no signs of cooling down.
