By Thai Newsroom Reporters
THAI-CAMBODIAN BORDER checkpoints are not going to reopen for cross-border trading at any time soon despite sustained calls for it from the business sector, confirmed Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul today (Sep.15).
Given the fact that many areas along the shared border in four northeastern provinces and three eastern provinces of Thailand reportedly remain under tense, unreliable and provocative circumstances, following last July’s border clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces along in disputed border areas, no border checkpoints between the two neighbouring countries are going to reopen as some people may demand for the time being or in a near future, according to the prime minister.
“Matters related to Thailand’s national security and territorial integrity are the first and foremost of all to be taken into account,” Anutin commented.
The cross-border trading issue will be constantly outweighed by matters ranging from Thailand’s national security and territorial integrity to national prestige whereas possibilities of renewed, armed conflict with Cambodia at any time cannot be ruled out, according to the prime minister referring to the five-day border clashes which claimed many fatalities and injuries on both sides.
The prime minister today held a meeting with the Federation of Thai Industries which has called on the Bhumjaithai-led government to provide tax-related benefits and other incentives for mercantile logistic industry between Thailand and Cambodia run by Thai firms whilst those border checkpoints officially remain closed.
Thai army generals in charge of border security missions including the retiring Second Army Area Commander Lt. Gen. Boonsin Padklang have earlier aired ultimate objection to persistent calls for the reopening of border checkpoints supposedly for the sake of cross-border traders of either country and contended that they never be reopened until Cambodian forces have literally withdrawn from all disputed border areas and stopped posing themselves as threats to Thailand’s territorial integrity.
The Thai provinces which have border checkpoints with Cambodia are Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, Surin and Buriram in the northeastern region and Sakaeo, Chanthaburi and Trat in the eastern region of this country. Cross-border trading between Thailand and Cambodia roughly amounted to 174 billion baht last year, some 141 billion baht of which was worth of Thai exported goods.
CAPTION:
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul at the Federation of Thai Industries today, Sep. 15, 2025. Photos: Thai Rath
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