Border Tensions Rise as Cambodia Bans Thai Produce Amid Ongoing Dispute - PRESS AI WORLD
PRESSAI
Border Tensions Rise as Cambodia Bans Thai Produce Amid Ongoing Dispute

Credited from: SCMP

  • Cambodia has banned all imports of Thai fruits and vegetables amidst escalating border tensions.
  • Thousands of Cambodians participated in a rally supporting the government's stance in the ongoing dispute.
  • The conflict was reignited following a deadly military clash between Cambodian and Thai troops.
  • The International Court of Justice has been approached to address the border issues, which date back more than a century.
  • Thailand and Cambodia are caught in a cycle of retaliatory measures, including banned media and tightened border restrictions.

In response to ongoing border tensions, Cambodia has banned all imports of Thai fruits and vegetables as negotiations between the two countries continue to falter. This decision aligns with remarks made by former Prime Minister Hun Sen, who demanded that Thailand fully reopen all checkpoints, which have been restricted in recent days following military clashes that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier on May 28. Cambodian authorities confirmed that they implemented this ban amid persistent border issues stemming from disputed areas along the 820-kilometer border, according to Bangkok Post and SCMP.

Rallies have erupted across Cambodia, with tens of thousands supporting government actions in the border standoff with Thailand. Marchers expressed their commitment to national sovereignty, chanting slogans and displaying flags, as they showed solidarity during a march led by Deputy Prime Minister Hun Many. This show of support follows a violent incident last month, where tensions escalated when both sides claimed to have acted in self-defense during military exchanges in the disputed Emerald Triangle region. These events have only exacerbated nationalist fervor on both sides, according to Reuters and LA Times.

The deteriorating relationship between Cambodia and Thailand has seen both nations imposing restrictions that go beyond trade. Cambodia has halted imports of Thai media, including television shows and films, and has also threatened to cut off access to Thai internet services. Conversely, Thailand has limited crossing times and restricted the movement of casino workers into Cambodia. The conflict appears rooted in long-standing historical grievances over territory and national identity, with claims dating back over a century to territorial demarcations by colonial powers, as detailed in Channel News Asia and The Jakarta Post.

As tensions continue to rise, Cambodia has formally approached the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to seek resolution regarding the disputed areas, including ancient temples and territories involved in the recent incidents. Thailand, however, has expressed its unwillingness to recognize the jurisdiction of the ICJ and has preferred to resolve issues bilaterally. Both nations have experienced periodic violence over border disputes, leading to numerous fatalities over the years, underlining the urgent need for a peaceful resolution, according to Channel News Asia and Bangkok Post.

SHARE THIS ARTICLE:

nav-post-picture
nav-post-picture