Hun Manet unmoved as Thailand relaxes border restrictions

Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet has rejected a Thai proposal to temporarily ease border controls, insisting that Cambodia will only reopen its border gates once Thailand fully restores normal operations.

In a post on his official Facebook page on Saturday, Hun Manet demanded that Thailand provide clear assurances against what he called further unilateral closures.

He confirmed that Cambodian authorities had received a proposal from the Thai side to re-open checkpoints in Sa Kaeo province to mitigate the impact on local communities and facilitate the return of stranded Cambodians and cross-border vehicles.

However, he stated that Cambodia would only reopen its borders five hours after Thailand reinstates full access and guarantees that future closures will not be made unilaterally.

“Cambodia understands the difficulties faced by both Cambodian and Thai citizens due to the border closure,” he wrote.

“That is why we did not enforce any closure measures earlier, even after tensions began near the border area in Ubon Ratchathani in late May. We have never intended to escalate tensions or obstruct travel and trade.”

Hun Manet emphasised that Cambodia was not responsible for initiating the closures.

He accused the Thai military of unilaterally closing checkpoints, adjusting opening hours, and limiting cross-border movement starting on June 7.

These actions, he said, continued until June 24, when the Thai government officially announced the closure of all border checkpoints, citing security concerns.

He further criticised what he described as mixed signals from the Thai side, highlighting discrepancies between statements from Thailand’s political leadership and the military’s actions on the ground.

“The solution is not difficult—just restore the situation to what it was before June 7 and give a clear guarantee that such closures will not happen again,” he said.

When that is done, Cambodia will open the border gates five hours later, he said, adding that the key to resolving the issue lies in Thailand’s hands.

Earlier the Thai Burapha Task Force partially eased border crossing restrictions to allow Thai cargo trucks, which had been stranded in Cambodia since June 23, to return to Thailand via three border checkpoints in Sa Kaeo.

This limited reopening followed a meeting of Thai security agencies on June 26, prompted by numerous complaints from truck owners who were unable to bring their vehicles back after making deliveries in Cambodia.

The checkpoints at Nong Ian and Ban Khao Din are open from 8am to 4pm, while Nong Prue operates from 8am until noon.

Daily entry is limited to 50 trucks at Nong Ian and Ban Khao Din, and 20 trucks at Nong Prue.

All stranded trucks must return within seven days.