Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang - Commander of Thailand's Military Region 2 - has ordered the closure of Chong Sai Taku border gate in Buriram province, bordering Cambodia. The decision was made on June 21 and posted on the official Facebook page of Military Region 2 that same night.
The order was based on a previous directive from the Royal Thai Army, empowering Military Region 2 to control the opening and closure of border crossings to ensure public safety, protect the territory and maintain national security.
Chong Sai Taku Border Gate used to operate daily, creating favorable conditions for trade, investment and tourism across the Thai - Cambodian border. This border gate is located opposite Chup Koki control station in Oddar Meanchey province of Cambodia. Currently, the Cambodian side has not yet responded officially to the move from Thailand.
Tensions at the border area between the two countries have escalated after a shootout between Thai and Cambodian soldiers on May 28, killing a Cambodian soldier. After the incident, Thailand began to take measures to limit opening hours at border gates bordering Cambodia.
In that context, President of the Cambodian Senate Hun Sen has repeatedly suggested that Thailand restore normal working hours at border gates. This content appeared in the recording of a phone call on June 15 between Mr. Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. The recording was leaked and controversial, creating domestic pressure on Prime Minister Paetongtarn.
In response to criticism, the Thai Prime Minister apologized for the incident related to the recording. However, according to Sorawong Thienthong - Thailand's tourism minister and a senior member of the ruling party Pheu Thai, the Prime Minister will not resign.
The Prime Minister has clearly confirmed to us that she will continue to carry out the task of solving the crises that the country is facing. The government will not resign or dissolve the parliament, Putinwong stressed in a Facebook post on June 21.
