Acting defence minister Gen Nattaphon Nakpanich has clarified that any possible relaxation of cross-border activity with Cambodia would only apply to the transport of goods, not the movement of people, adding that even the transport of goods will not be a free flow, but restricted on a daily basis, pending further discussion.
“Individuals are still not allowed to cross the border. Even for goods transport, it will not be an unrestricted opening. The number of trips will be limited,” he said.
His comments came after the Thai-Cambodia General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Koh Kong, Cambodia, at which both countries discussed the possibility of allowing limited border crossings, potentially starting with checkpoints in Chanthaburi and Trat provinces.
Many Thais were not happy though, as they had assumed that border checkpoints, closed during the deadly clashes with Cambodia, would be reopened.
Gen Nattaphon stressed that discussions were limited to easing restrictions on certain goods and at designated crossing points, aimed at mitigating the impacts on businesses and essential cross-border transport.
He added that he has spoken with Vice Admiral Apichart Sapprasert, Commander of the Chanthaburi-Trat Border Defence Command, about setting a daily quota on trips across the border, saying “If the public is not ready, relaxation could begin on a case-by-case basis, such as two to three trips. If people agree that the economy must move forward, this could be extended to 20–30 trips.”
If no consensus is reached, the proposal will be dropped, he noted.
He also revealed that a third country had complained that the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia had put it, as an uninvolved party, in a difficult position.
The border crossings in Chanthaburi and Trat were considered because they are in areas classified by Thailand as “low tension”, or Zone 3.
Zone 1 covers the northeastern provinces of Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, and Buri Ram, which were attacked by Cambodian troops during the five days of fighting in late July.
Tension also persists in Zone 2, particularly over the Nong Chan village in Sa Kaeo province.
