🚨 Thailand Closes All Border Crossings at Thai-Cambodia Line in Sa Kaeo Province
📌 Introduction
Thai-Cambodia border crossing control measures have been officially intensified in response to rising national security concerns. The Royal Thai Army’s First Army Region (คำสั่งกองทัพภาคที่ 1) has issued Order No. 954/2568, dated June 23, 2025, to temporarily close all types of border checkpoints along the Thai-Cambodia border in Sa Kaeo Province. This follows earlier orders and aligns with military security policy nationwide.
⚠️ Key Reasons Behind Border Closure
According to the document, the decision stems from:
- An uptick in illegal entries linked to fraud rings, particularly hybrid scams and Call Center scams, that have exploited the border’s porousness.
- Growing concern about national security, public safety, and citizen anxiety.
The military reports that networks exploiting vulnerable Thais to participate in cross-border crimes have escalated their operations, prompting this urgent measure.
⛔ What’s Affected: Transport & Trade
The order includes a full suspension of:
- Cross-border goods transportation in all categories.
- Movement of individuals in and out of Thailand, including:
- Tourists
- Thai nationals
- Cambodian citizens
- Other foreign nationals
- All land-based traders or merchants
The closure impacts all routes in Sa Kaeo province, a crucial gateway for Thai-Cambodia commerce.
✅ Exceptions & Humanitarian Considerations
The order allows case-by-case approval for humanitarian, medical, and diplomatic exceptions. Specifically:
- Urgent medical cases
- Humanitarian reasons based on proper evaluation
- Consular or diplomatic missions
These must be reviewed and approved with both Thai and Cambodian authority coordination, ensuring compliance with humanitarian standards and safety protocols.
📉 Impact & Next Steps
This Thai-Cambodia border crossing shutdown is expected to:
- Temporarily disrupt regional logistics and trade, especially in Sa Kaeo.
- Affect local border economies and daily commuting.
- Help crack down on cross-border cybercrime and illicit human trafficking.
- Encourage a reevaluation of surveillance technologies and security policies for future border reopening plans.
The order will remain in effect until further notice, starting June 23, 2025.
