Thailand, Cambodia shut border crossings amid turmoil in Bangkok
The countries ratcheted up tensions as Paetongtarn fights to save her government from a crisis triggered by a leaked phone call with Hun Sen
The closure of a border crossing in northeastern Buri Ram province was effective from Saturday, according to an order by the Thai army. Cambodia then retaliated with the permanent shutdown of the same passage as well as another checkpoint, according to Cambodian leader Hun Manet, who criticised the Thai army’s move.
The Thai army said it was its prerogative to restrict border movements to protect the country’s sovereignty for national security reasons, as it had done since June 7.
The Cambodian leader also announced a suspension of all fuel and gas imports from Thailand from Monday, saying local companies are able to import a sufficient quantity of energy from other sources to meet domestic demand.
A unit of Thailand’s state-controlled PTT Oil & Retail Business operates retail fuel stations and its Cafe Amazon coffee stores across Cambodia.