Hun Manet has ordered the closure of the Choam international border gate in Anlong Veng district, Oddar Meanchey province

Samdech Hun Manet has ordered the closure of the Choam international border gate in Anlong Veng district, Oddar Meanchey province, and the Chubkakir border gate in Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province, effective June 22. The decision by the Cambodian Prime Minister is in response to Thailand’s unilateral decision to close the Saytaku-Chubkakir border gate earlier.

The following is the full text of the closure of the two border gates that Samdech Hun Manet wrote on his Facebook page on the morning of June 22:

Last night (June 21), His Excellency the Governor of the Oddar Meanchey Provincial Government reported to me that the 2nd Military Region of the Thai Army had just issued a letter notifying the Thai side to close the Saytaku-Chubkakir border gate in Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province, effective today.

I have agreed with His Excellency the Governor of the Provincial Government to decide to permanently close this border gate on the Cambodian side. In addition to the Chubki Gate, I have ordered His Excellency the Provincial Governor to close one more gate, the Choam Border Gate in Anlong Veng District, Oddar Meanchey Province, from today onwards and to inform the Thai side.

Since June 7, 2025, the Thai army has used measures to close the border gates and change the opening and closing times of the border gates between the two countries unilaterally, without considering the impact on the travel of the people of both countries.

Cambodia never intended to cause difficulties for the people of both countries who live or travel through the border gates. However, if the Thai army continues to use this method to impose pressure on Cambodia, Cambodia can always be at ease.

It is also strange that Thai political leaders, including the Thai Prime Minister, always request negotiations to open the border gates to restore normalcy, but at the same time, the Thai army continues to close and open gates or adjust the opening and closing times at will, unilaterally.

I do not know if this is the method or strategy of the work between the Thai government and the Thai army, because there seems to be no clear internal consensus and principles. One asks for bilateral negotiations to reopen the border, while the other continues to close it unilaterally.

As for Cambodia, we have the consensus from the country's leadership to the frontline army. If the Prime Minister issues an order, all national and sub-national institutions, including the army, will strictly implement that order.

Regarding the opening of the border between Cambodia and Thailand, I would like to reiterate that Cambodia still maintains the same position: there is no need for bilateral negotiations on the opening of the border between the two countries.

If the Thai side really wants to reopen the border to normal, it can be done easily and quickly. The Thai army, which initiated the unilateral closure of the border, must reopen the border unilaterally to the situation before June 7, 2025. Cambodia will reopen it in five hours. This is a very simple solution, without the need for time-consuming negotiations. All that is needed is a sincere desire from the Thai side.