Cambodia delays border opening for 635 Thais return
Cambodia unexpectedly sealed the Khlong Luek border crossing, blocking 635 Thai nationals from returning home as scheduled, with negotiations ongoing to resolve the diplomatic impasse.
SA KAEO — 30 April 2026, Tensions mounted at the Khlong Luek border crossing in Aranyaprathet district when Cambodian authorities unexpectedly refused to open the gate for 635 Thai nationals scheduled to return home. Around midday, Thai officials found themselves in a holding pattern as the handover was repeatedly postponed with no explanation offered. Maj. Gen. Benchapol Dechatiwong Na Ayutthaya, commander of the Burapha Task Force, had coordinated with military, border patrol, immigration police and customs personnel to establish screening checkpoints at the Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge.
Police Maj. Gen. Thitthawat Suriyachai, deputy commander of Provincial Police Region 2, inspected preparations and participated in coordination meetings for the group's repatriation from Cambodia. Throughout the morning, tensions escalated as Cambodian immigration officials at Poipet kept the border crossing sealed without providing any rationale, trapping all 635 Thai nationals on the Cambodian side. Meanwhile, Thai authorities confirmed they were fully equipped with screening procedures, reception facilities and security protocols in place.
Thailand's security officials dispatched negotiators to pressure their Cambodian counterparts into reopening the crossing, though no breakthroughs materialized by afternoon. Cambodia had previously identified those being returned as including 190 accused of illegal border entry without documents, six suspected of involvement in online fraud schemes, and two individuals with active arrest warrants. The transfer, originally scheduled for 9:00 AM, was pushed back to 11:00 AM and then beyond 1:00 PM with no movement occurring. Thai officials indicated they would persist in seeking a peaceful resolution through diplomatic channels.
