Thailand Wants to “Negotiate” Border Hours – But All It Has to Do Is Reopen
July 14, 2025 – Phnom Penh/Bangkok – Thailand has publicly stated through local media that it is considering engaging in discussions with Cambodia about adjusting the opening hours of shared border checkpoints. However, despite this public messaging, no formal negotiations have been initiated – and the reality remains that Thailand alone holds the key to fully reopening the borders it unilaterally restricted.
Cambodia’s Position Remains Clear: “Reopen First”
Cambodia has repeatedly and consistently affirmed its readiness to reopen all border crossings – but only once Thailand fully restores them to their original, pre-closure status with normal operating hours. Cambodian officials have stressed that they never closed the borders in the first place, and any restrictions or closures were imposed unilaterally by Thailand.
As a Cambodian government spokesperson previously stated:
“Cambodia has not closed the borders. We are ready to resume normal operations the moment Thailand reopens them as they were before the closures.”
Thailand’s Media Messaging vs. Actual Action
While Thai authorities have spoken in the media about the idea of negotiating with Cambodia to adjust or coordinate border checkpoint hours, it seems like no official talks have taken place. Moreover, Thailand has yet to reverse the very closures and limited schedules that it implemented without bilateral agreement.
This has led to growing frustration on the Cambodian side, where people argue that Thailand’s public suggestions of “talks” distract from the fact that Thailand must first take concrete action to reopen the crossings it shut down.
The Origins of the Border Closures
Thailand’s restrictions on various checkpoints – enacted over the last weeks due to some concerns – were not coordinated with Cambodia. These closures affected trade routes, local economies, and communities that rely heavily on daily cross-border movement.
Despite Cambodia’s willingness to normalize the situation, it has insisted that full restoration can only happen after Thailand reestablishes the previous operating conditions.
A Matter of Responsibility
In essence, the situation is not a negotiation between equals over shared closures – it is about Thailand undoing its own unilateral decisions. Cambodia has been clear that it has no demands beyond returning to the status quo ante.
There is no disagreement between the two countries about the need for open and functioning borders. The disagreement lies in the sequence of actions – and according to both logic and diplomacy, the first move must come from Thailand.
Thailand Must Act, Not Just Talk
Thailand’s statements about potential talks may sound cooperative, but without any formal diplomatic steps or reversal of its closures, they amount to little more than public relations. The Cambodian stance has not changed: as soon as Thailand reopens the borders fully and restores normal hours, Cambodia will do the same.
Until that happens, the responsibility – and the delay – rests solely with Thailand. Until that people have to travel between the two countries by plane until further notice.