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 800km 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.
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