Cambodia’s strongman Hun Sen issued an announcement today, urging all armed forces to remain on full alert around the clock and to be ready to respond in case of aggression.
He also recommended that people in provinces near the border with Thailand prepare for evacuation to safer areas and stock up on food, medicine and other essentials.
The announcement is likely to fuel tensions between the neighbouring countries, which began after troops from both sides clashed in a disputed area in Ubon Ratchathani’s Nam Yuen district in late May.
Hun Sen, father of the incumbent prime minister Hun Manet, made the announcement just a day before both countries’ Joint Boundary Committee members are scheduled to meet in Phnom Penh to address the border conflicts.
"If Thailand does not resolve the issue of the reopening of border checkpoints and returns to normality, we will have no choice but to implement all these measures," he warned.
Hun Sen also ordered Cambodian nationals to stop travelling to Thailand for medical treatment, advising them to seek care at domestic hospitals or facilities in other countries instead.
Additionally, he announced the suspension of imports of Thai goods and produce, replacing them with alternatives from other countries. He also instructed Cambodian authorities to prepare for the return of Cambodian workers from Thailand.
“Cambodian workers may choose to return voluntarily, before being deported by Thailand, where they are currently experiencing severe discrimination and contempt in certain areas,” the Khmer Times quoted Hun Sen as claiming.
He also appealed to Cambodians not to stage protests at Thai establishments in Cambodia, such as the Thai embassy, Thai companies or against Thai nationals.
