SA KAEO, June 24 (TNA) – Thailand has sealed all 16 land border crossings with Cambodia across seven provinces, halting all vehicle and pedestrian movement and most trade. The move, encompassing six permanent and ten temporary checkpoints, aims to heighten border security.
The closures affect key trade points like Aranyaprathet (Sa Kaeo), Khlong Yai (Trat), and Chanthaburi, which together accounted for over 95% of 2024’s cross-border trade. The Eastern Chamber of Commerce expects to assess the economic impact on businesses and border communities within five days.
Exceptions are limited to humanitarian cases, such as medical emergencies and student commutes. While the overall trade value with Cambodia is not high, the closures impact both consumer goods and industrial shipments. Exporters are already rerouting durian shipments to China via Laem Chabang Port, bypassing traditional land routes through Cambodia. -819 (TNA)
