Observer: If Cambodia-Thailand border dispute has not ended, it is not yet time to reopen the border

Cambodian observers say that if Cambodia and Thailand cannot negotiate to end the war or border dispute between the two countries, the situation will not be completely resolved. It is not yet time for Cambodia to reopen its borders, unless it inevitably faces severe pressure from third countries.
Social development researcher Dr. Meas Ny said on The Cambodia Daily’s Idea Talk program on the evening of September 15 that if the Cambodian government reopens the border crossings even though the armies of both countries have occupied territory along the border areas that have not yet been clearly defined, it will make it even more difficult to demarcate the border between the two countries in the future.
Dr. Meas Ny said that economic issues are indeed factors to consider, but integrity is even more important, while citizens are worried about losing territory to Thailand, which is currently in conflict with Cambodia.
In fact, the Thai army’s incursion into Chok Chey and Prey Chan village, O Bei Choan commune, O Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province, and other areas where the Thai side has built trenches in Cambodian territory. This is the most important issue that the government must resolve completely before discussing reopening the border.
The social development researcher stated that Thailand is now worried about losing its market in Cambodia if the border between the two countries continues to be closed indefinitely. He said that Thailand’s concern is that if the closure continues, Chinese and Vietnamese goods will definitely dominate the Cambodian market in the future, while prices will also be lower than Thai goods.
This claim comes after Cambodia and Thailand discussed reopening some borders at the request of the Japanese government recently.
On September 10, Minister of National Defense Tea Seiha issued a press release on the results of the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, stating that Cambodia and Thailand discussed the opening of some border crossings at the request of the Japanese government, For the transportation of goods necessary to ensure the supply chain.
However, on September 13, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul stated that reopening the border with Cambodia requires several agreements and the preparation of military forces, as well as compliance with Thai conditions.
On September 11, the head of the Thai National Security Mission Coordination Office, Wanchana Sawasdee, was quoted by the Thai newspaper Khaosod as opposing the opening of the Cambodia-Thailand border crossing despite the Japanese government’s request.
The Cambodia-Thailand border is over 800 kilometers long, passing through 7 provinces, including Pailin, Pursat, Battambang, Oddar Meanchey, Banteay Meanchey, Koh Kong. and Preah Vihear province, which has 10 international border gates and 5 regional border gates.
In the past, it has been observed that through international border crossings between the two countries, hundreds of container trucks of Thai agricultural products and goods have been imported into Cambodia and passed through to Vietnam every day and the border crossing also imports a large number of Thai goods daily.
Pailin province has one international border gate with Thailand, the Prum International Gate, Battambang province has two international gates with Thailand and three border gates, Banteay Meanchey province has two international border gates and two regional border gates.
Oddar Meanchey province has three international border crossings with Thailand, and Koh Kong province has one international border crossing, Cham Yam and Preah Vihear province also has one international border crossing, An Ses.
Pursat province has a plan to build the Thma Da international border crossing in Veal Veng district, adjacent to Trat province, in the past, but it has not yet operated.
However, after the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute, both sides decided to close all border gates since June 17, 2025.