Thailand authorities imposed a ban on motorcycles and pushcarts entering from Cambodia into their country at all border crossings in Banteay Meanchey — a retaliatory action against Cambodia’s halt of fuel and gas imports from Thailand on Monday.
The Cambodia-Thailand border tension has escalated since the deadly May 28 clash, with Cambodia permanently closing the Choam and Choub Korki border checkpoints to imports of Thai fruits and vegetables in Oddar Meanchey province on Sunday.
Prior to that, the Thai army “unilaterally” reduced the border checkpoint operating hours between Cambodia and Thailand without consideration of the impact on citizens of both countries, Prime Minister Hun Manet posted on his Facebook.
Van Daran, Poipet International Checkpoint chief, confirmed that the Thai military imposed a ban on all types of motorcycles and pushcarts with Cambodian license plates from entering Thailand through five border checkpoints in Banteay Meanchey province.
The measure was enforced from 9 a.m on Monday. “The Thai side unilaterally imposed the ban on motorcycles and pushcarts,” he said, adding that pedestrian movement continues as normal.
“It’s difficult for our workers, especially those carrying large quantities of goods, as they now have to carry items multiple times without pushcarts,” Daran said.
Cambodia Informal Economic Reinforced Association president Din Puthy expressed concern that tensions between the two countries will cause further hardship for the poor, especially cart pushers in Poipet.
“Their livelihood is already difficult because they are poor, and this entry ban will only make their situation worse,” he said.
According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), an online platform that provides data visualization and insights on global trade, refined petroleum was Thailand’s top export to Cambodia in 2023, valued at approximately $1.7 billion.
In Cambodia, top imports from Thailand and Singapore in 2024 were mineral fuels, mineral oils and products of their distillation; bituminous substances; and mineral waxes, valued at $938 million and $624 million, respectively, the General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) stated.
Citing data from Thailand’s Department of Energy Business, Thai media reported that in 2024, Thailand exported fuel to Cambodia valued at approximately $1.45 billion. Cambodia was Thailand’s second-largest fuel export market, after Singapore.
However, CamboJA News was not able to verify the data with the Ministry of Commerce. Its spokesperson Pen Sovicheat did not respond to questions regarding the value of oil and gas imports from Thailand, referring them to the (GDCE) instead. Its director-general Kun Nhim did not respond.
