Thailand is thinking of restricting fuel exports to Cambodia as the border dispute intensifies
Thailand’s military announced that it was contemplating a ban on fuel exports to Cambodia, following the escalation of fighting between the two nations in coastal areas of a contested border region, just two days after U.S. President Donald Trump stated that both sides had reached a new ceasefire agreement.
This year, the Southeast Asian neighbours have turned to arms multiple times following the death of a Cambodian soldier in a skirmish in May, reigniting a conflict that has displaced hundreds of thousands on both sides of the border.
Thai military commanders have been in discussions regarding the potential blockage of fuel exports to Cambodia. This includes a request for the navy to maintain vigilance against vessels transporting strategic supplies and the designation of maritime zones near Cambodian ports as high-risk, as stated by a navy official during a press conference on Sunday.
“Currently, there are no orders regarding these measures,” stated Captain Nara Khunkothom, assistant spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy, noting that the issue will be addressed at a security meeting on Monday.
On Friday, the Thai energy ministry announced that Thailand has ceased oil exports to Cambodia since June. According to data from the energy ministry, Thailand exported 2.2 billion litres of fuel to Cambodia last year.
Thailand has implemented a curfew in its southeastern province.
Cambodia has accused Thailand of attacking civilian infrastructure, which includes the deployment of fighter jets and shelling in populated areas. Thailand stated that its focus has been solely on military targets.
On Sunday, Thailand declared a curfew in its southeastern Trat province amid ongoing clashes along the 817-km (508-mile) border between the two countries. Thai authorities reported that a soldier and a civilian lost their lives due to BM-21 rockets fired by Cambodia on Sunday.
According to the Thai authorities, at least 16 soldiers and 10 civilians have lost their lives, with hundreds more injured since the latest round of clashes began on Monday, resulting in 258,626 civilians being displaced.
On Sunday, Cambodia reported no new deaths or injuries. According to Cambodia’s interior ministry, at least 11 individuals have lost their lives, 74 have sustained injuries, and 394,706 people have been displaced since Monday.
On Saturday, Thai forces announced the destruction of a bridge utilized by Cambodia for transporting heavy weapons and other equipment to the area. They also initiated an operation aimed at pre-positioned artillery in Cambodia’s coastal Koh Kong province.
There have been ongoing clashes since Cambodia reiterated its willingness for a ceasefire on Saturday, as stated by Thai Defence Ministry spokesman Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri during a press conference in Bangkok on Sunday.
Trump, who facilitated a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict in October, mentioned that he had conversations with Thailand’s caretaker Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian premier Hun Manet on Friday, stating that they had concurred to “cease all shooting”.
Anutin pledged on Saturday to continue the struggle “until we experience no further harm and threats to our land and people”.
A spokesperson for the White House later stated that Trump anticipated all parties to uphold their commitments and that “he will hold anyone accountable as necessary to halt the killing and secure lasting peace”.
Thailand is receptive to a diplomatic resolution; however, Surasant emphasized that “Cambodia must first halt its hostility before negotiations can commence.”
