Border dispute between the two countries escalates Thai fruit exports restricted
Cambodia has banned imports of fruit and vegetables from Thailand as the two countries trade retaliatory measures after a border dispute.
A clash between troops on May 28 in a disputed area where the borders of Cambodia and Thailand meet initiated the dispute. Thailand has since imposed restrictions on its border crossing hours leading to the latest Cambodian response.
According to a report from The Phnom Penh Post, Cambodia issued a 24-hour ultimatum to Thailand on 16 June to remove its restrictions or the Cambodian government would halt the import of fruit and vegetables from Thailand.
The ultimatum expired on 17 Jun and the ban came into effect at 9:00am. Sok Veasna, director-general of the General Department of Immigration, told The Post that the ban applies only to fruit and vegetables, while other goods and human travel remain unaffected. The ban will continue until further notice or until Thailand reverts to the original border opening hours.
According to a report from the Bangkok Post, dozens of trucks carrying fresh Thai fresh produce waited at the Cambodian border on the morning of 17 June, while seafood shipments were allowed to pass fruit and vegetable trucks were stopped.
