Military intensifies border surveillance Operations
Thai Army Cracks Down on Thai Nationals Working in Cambodian Casinos
In a bold move, the Royal Thai Army has intensified border control measures, with immediate effects from Tuesday. This action is in response to the increasing skirmishes along the Thai-Cambodian border.
The main target? Thai nationals employed in Cambodian casinos and entertainment venues, primarily in Poipet, are now barred from leaving Cambodia. This decision aims to safeguard the security and safety of both Thai and Cambodian citizens living near the border.
The stricter regulations are being enforced along the Thai-Cambodian frontier, with the military powers implementing these changes in operational areas such as Sa Kaeo province and Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces.
As of Tuesday, the Burapa Force has imposed tight restrictions at all border crossings in Sa Kaeo province, prohibiting Thai nationals working in any gambling establishments in Cambodia from crossing the border. The authorities have emphasized the importance of ensuring both Thai and Cambodian citizens' safety.
Pol Col Napattarapong Supaporn, superintendent of the Sa Kaeo immigration bureau, confirmed that the Khlong Luek border checkpoint in Aranyaprathet district has implemented these new restrictions. He advised any Thai nationals currently residing in Poipet, Cambodia, to return to Thailand promptly, citing concerns for personal safety and the protection of their properties.
Under the new rules, only individuals with demonstrable essential business matters may cross the border. They must present valid supporting documents. Thais intending to work in casinos or entertainment venues are not permitted to cross, and those seeking to enter Cambodia for other reasons are subject to restrictions.
To coordinate efforts and manage the situation, the government has established the Thai-Cambodian Border Situation Administration Centre. This special operations centre will be led by Deputy Defence Minister Gen Natthapon Nakpanich, who will unite various security agencies and provide accurate information to the public. The centre will also appoint spokespersons for daily briefings, with the aim of countering misinformation.
In a country where border disputes and the casino industry collide, the Thai Army's crackdown on Thai nationals working in Cambodian casinos has resulted in significant economic and employment disruption for those reliant on these jobs. Daily border crossings have dropped dramatically, with fewer than 200 crossings on the first day compared to the usual 4,000–5,000.
This decisive action is part of a broader set of reciprocal punitive actions between Thailand and Cambodia, with each party imposing sanctions on media, internet links, agricultural exports, and transportation to escalate the tension. Amid this deteriorating bilateral relationship, the Thai Army and government continue to enforce military posturing and political efforts to resolve the dispute.
- The intensified border control measures initiated by the Royal Thai Army, in response to the increasing skirmishes along the Thai-Cambodian border, encompass not only security and safety concerns but also extend to war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news, as they affect the broader relationship between the two countries.
- The Thai Army's crackdown on Thai nationals working in Cambodian casinos, part of a series of reciprocal punitive actions, is deeply rooted in crime-and-justice issues, as it highlights the illegal activities associated with the gambling industry along the border, contributing to the escalation of tensions between Thailand and Cambodia.
