Thailand closes border to tourists after Cambodia clash

Thailand on Saturday shut two of its border crossings to tourists as a safety measure amid ongoing tensions with its neighbor, Cambodia.

The decision follows the killing of a Cambodian soldier during a brief military clash on May 28 in an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of the two neighbors and Laos meet.

Thailand and Cambodia share an 817 kilometer (508 mile) border, first mapped by France in 1907 when Cambodia was its colony. For most of the following century, the neighbors have disputed various un-demarcated points along the frontier.

What did Thai authorities say?

Authorities in the eastern province of Chanthaburi said in a statement that they had "temporarily suspended" crossings by Thai and Cambodian tourists at two permanent border checkpoints.

The Royal Thai Army cited a threat to Thailand's "sovereignty and security" as the reason for the move.

The army said trade would be unaffected and Cambodian workers could still enter Thailand.

Six other border checkpoints tightened their opening hours and issued bans on six-wheeled vehicles.

Thai Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the army had reinforced its military presence at the border following an increase in troops on the other side.

"There has been a reinforcement of military presence [by Cambodia], which has exacerbated tensions along the border," Phumtham, who is also deputy prime minister, said in a statement.

"Consequently, the Royal Thai Government has deemed it necessary to implement additional measures and to reinforce our military posture accordingly."

The army said Friday it was ready to launch a "high-level operation" to counter any violation of Thailand's sovereignty.

Meanwhile, the Thai Foreign Ministry said Saturday that the country was committed to holding bilateral talks with Cambodia on June 14 to resolve the dispute.

What has Cambodia said?

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet insisted in a speech Saturday that his country's stance was "not to initiate conflict, but to defend ourselves."

Hun said earlier this week that the kingdom would file a complaint with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over the border dispute.

The two neighbors had agreed to ease tensions following last month's killing but Cambodia then said it would keep its troops in the area, in defiance of a request by Bangkok.
On-off skirmishes for nearly two decades

Fighting first broke out in 2008 over an 11th-century Hindu temple, leading to sporadic violence over several years.

At least 28 people have been killed.

The ICJ ruled in 2013 that the disputed area belonged to Cambodia, but Thailand says it does not accept the ICJ's jurisdiction and seeks a bilateral settlement.

The Southeast Asian regional bloc ASEAN and China have both made efforts to reduce tensions in recent days.<>