ARANYAPRATHET, Thailand—Dozens of tourists and workers, some carrying children, were left stranded on Tuesday at Thailand’s main land crossing with Cambodia, after the army stopped almost all border traffic in an escalating territorial dispute.
Thailand has closed crossing points in all seven border provinces to everyone except students and those seeking medical treatment, after a long-running row erupted into military clashes last month in which a Cambodian soldier was killed.
There was confusion at the Ban Khlong Luek checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province—the main crossing for people traveling overland to Cambodia’s Siem Reap, where the Angkor Wat complex is located.
Around 50 Cambodian workers, mostly vendors who regularly cross into Thailand for trade, found themselves stuck at the checkpoint, unable to return home.
“I wanted to go back last night but had to sleep at my shop instead because police didn’t allow me to cross,” said Malin Po, 38, a clothing seller.
“I usually cross every day because I come to work in Thailand and go back home to Cambodia.”
She said no one had explained why the checkpoint was closed, leaving many frustrated.
Riot police were stationed near the crossing point—a grand archway sealed shut with yellow railings—as people trudged back towards the Thai side after being turned away.
Chanta Wo, 32, a Cambodian carpenter based in Sa Kaeo, said he was trying to cross the border after learning that his 73-year-old mother-in-law had just died.
Traveling with his wife, brother, 2-year-old daughter and one-month-old baby, he was seen changing his infant son’s nappy on a bench near the checkpoint.
“I was warned away by the police… I’m very concerned,” he told AFP.
Border row
As well as Cambodian workers, a handful of tourists hoping to cross the border also found themselves stuck.
Matteo Toso, 34, from Turin, Italy, said he was backpacking across Asia and had spent two months starting from Nepal before attempting to cross into Cambodia.
“I might have to go back to Bangkok and take a plane to Cambodia but of course that’s more expensive,” he told AFP.
He said he was concerned that tensions between Thailand and Cambodia could impact Thailand’s tourism in the long run.
Dozens were also stuck on the Cambodian side of the border, where food sellers urged the two sides to reconcile.
“I appeal to both Cambodia and Thailand to get along with each other again, so all people can make mutual benefits,” seafood vendor Phong Ratanak, 37, told AFP.
Touch, 18, who has been working on a farm in Thailand, said she did not know the news about the border restrictions imposed by the Thai army.
“I have been waiting at the checkpoint since the morning. I don’t know what would happen,” she told AFP, adding she felt “a bit sad”.
Thailand and Cambodia are at odds over several small sections of their border in a row that dates back to the drawing of the 800-km frontier in the early 20th century during the French occupation of Indochina.
Violence sparked by the dispute has led to at least 28 deaths in the region since 2008, but the issue had died down in recent years until last month’s flare-up.
Peace-seeking talks stalled, and Cambodia has banned imports of fuel and oil from Thailand, as well as Thai fruit and vegetables.
The row has also gravely wounded Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who is facing calls to quit over a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen which saw her accused of appeasing Phnom Penh and undermining her own military.
Thai border police said it was unclear when the crossing would reopen, adding that officers on the ground were following military orders with limited information.
