Phnom Penh/Bangkok, June 23 : Cambodia has officially suspended all fuel and gas imports from Thailand starting midnight on June 22, as tensions between the two Southeast Asian nations continue to rise following a deadly border clash last month.
Prime Minister Hun Manet announced the move on social media, stating that Cambodia would no longer rely on Thai fuel supplies due to the deteriorating diplomatic situation. “All fuel and gas imports from Thailand will be halted from midnight tonight,” Hun Manet posted on Facebook, as reported by the Khmer Times. He assured citizens that domestic energy needs would be met through alternative sources.
This drastic action follows a violent confrontation on May 28 in the disputed Chong Bok region, where Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged fire, leading to the death of a Cambodian soldier. The area is part of the contested “Emerald Triangle,” where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand, and Laos meet.
Tensions escalated further after 30 Cambodian nationals held a symbolic protest at Ta Kwai Temple in Thailand’s Surin province—an ancient site claimed by both countries. In response, Thailand shut down the Chong Sai Taku checkpoint, prompting Cambodia to close its own crossings at Chup Koki and Choam.
The current dispute harks back to century-old territorial disagreements rooted in French colonial-era maps. While the International Court of Justice (ICJ) awarded Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia in 1962, disputes over surrounding areas have repeatedly sparked violence, most notably between 2008 and 2011.
Diplomatic friction intensified after Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra criticized Cambodian leaders on June 16 for “unprofessional” conduct, referring to their use of social media in diplomatic matters. In retaliation, Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen leaked a private phone call with Paetongtarn, which contained remarks that ignited a political crisis in Thailand.
In the call, Paetongtarn referred to Cambodia’s Hun Sen as “uncle” but also disparaged Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, the Thai military commander overseeing the border area. The leak led to political fallout in Thailand, with the conservative Bhumjaithai Party pulling out of the ruling coalition, significantly weakening the government’s majority.
Further straining relations, Cambodia has already banned Thai fruits and vegetables, halted the broadcast of Thai TV dramas and films, and warned of additional trade restrictions. Thailand, in turn, has tightened border security and restricted Cambodian citizen entry.
Observers note that the once-close relationship between the Shinawatra family and the Hun dynasty—spanning decades—appears to be unraveling under current political pressures.