PM: Cambodia Will Resume Normal Border Operations If Thailand Reopens and Commits to No More Unilateral Closures

(Phnom Penh): Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet reaffirmed that if the Thai side reopens the border crossings to return to the normal situation as before 7 June 2025, and provides clear assurances that there will be no more unilateral closures, Cambodia will also reopen its side within no more than five hours after that.

The premier wrote on his social media on Sunday (Jun. 29).

"On Sunday morning (Jun. 29), Cambodian competent authorities received a letter from the Thai side in Sa Kaeo Province requesting the reopening of several Cambodia-Thailand border crossings and the allowance of freight transportation in and out, in order to ease the impact on the livelihoods of citizens.

I wish to send a message to the people of both countries as follows:

1. Cambodia fully understands the hardship faced by citizens on both sides of the border due to the closure. That is why Cambodia did not take unilateral action to close the border, even when the incident at the Emerald Triangle area occurred in late May 2025. We have no intention to expand disputed territories or cause disruptions to travel and trade between the Thai and Cambodian people along the border.

2. Cambodia was not the one to initiate the unilateral closure or restriction of border crossings. It was the Thai military that began imposing closures, adjusting opening and closing times, and setting conditions limiting border movement unilaterally since 7 June 2025. Furthermore, the Thai military continued to adjust hours and impose unilateral closures at various crossings until 24 June 2025, when the Thai government announced a complete shutdown of all border points, citing security concerns.

3. The lack of clarity and sudden inconsistency in the Thai government's policy stance, together with a disconnect between political directives and actual implementation by the Thai military on the ground that has created obstacles in finding a clear, realistic, and long-term solution.

4. As I have mentioned many times, the solution to this border closure issue is simple. If the Thai side, which initiated the unilateral closure measures on 7 June, reopens the border to its previous normal state and provides firm assurances that no more unilateral closures will happen, that will be sufficient. Cambodia will reopen its border crossings within no later than five hours after that.

In short, the key is now in the hands of the Thai side. Therefore, for the Thai authorities and people who wish for the Cambodia-Thailand border to reopen, there is no need to submit requests to Cambodia. Instead, they should address their appeals to those with actual power in Thailand, whether it be the military or others in order to reopen the border and return to the pre-7 June situation with a clear guarantee against further unilateral closures. Once that is done, everything will return to normal operations as before."
=FRESH NEWS