BANGKOK, June 9 — Thailand has proposed cutting electricity and Internet access to areas along the Thai-Cambodia border as part of efforts to step up enforcement against transnational crimes, including human trafficking and call centre scam operations.
The Thai Foreign Ministry’s Department of Information's Director-General Nikorndej Balankura said the Thai Border Security Enforcement Centre has proposed suspending electricity and Internet services to areas on the Cambodian side of the border believed to house gambling and scamming operations.
“This proposal will be submitted to the National Security Council for approval in due course,” he said during a press conference today.
Nikorndej added that Thailand will continue to enforce control measures at various border crossing points to maintain peace and ensure the safety of people on both sides.
Border tensions between the two neighbouring countries arose after a fatal clash on May 28 in Thailand’s northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province and Cambodia’s northern Preah Vihear province, where one Cambodian soldier was reportedly killed.
Cambodia has since announced its intention to take the border dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ).
In response, the two nations have agreed to discuss the matter through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), scheduled to be held in Phnom Penh on Saturday (June 14).
Nikorndej reaffirmed Thailand’s readiness to participate in the JBC meeting in good faith.
“Thailand reaffirms its commitment to participating in the JBC meeting in good faith. We look forward to cooperation and sincere efforts from both sides to strengthen our bilateral relations,” he said.
Following successful negotiations at various levels, Thailand hopes the progress will lead to a long-term peaceful resolution based on mutual respect and a genuine willingness to address the issue through existing bilateral mechanisms.
“This will help create a conducive environment for the upcoming JBC meeting, set to take place in five days,” Nikorndej said.
According to Thai government data, Thailand operates 17 official border crossings with Cambodia, spanning seven provinces along their shared 817-kilometre frontier.
— Bernama
