Cambodia bans Thai fruit, vegetable imports over border dispute

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – Cambodia on Tuesday banned the import of fruits and vegetables from Thailand amid a border dispute, Khmer Times reported.

“The move is in response to threats and insults from the Thai military following the tense situation over the border issue between the two countries, caused by the Thai side,” according to the Phnom Penh-based newspaper.

“All border gates in Cambodia have completely blocked the import of all kinds of vegetables and fruits from Thailand into Cambodia,” said Lt. Gen. Sok Veasna, director general of Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration.

Tensions between two Southeast Asian nations escalated on May 28 when troops from Thailand and Cambodia exchanged gunfire along their border.

One Cambodian soldier was killed during the 10-minute clash in a disputed area between Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand’s northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province.

The two sides have issued conflicting statements on who initiated the gunfire.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said Monday that ongoing “rhetoric critical” of Thailand from Cambodian leaders was “not helpful” to bilateral ties.

She said the Thai government has set up a task force to closely monitor the ongoing situation along the border.

“It is not professional and not good for the two countries,” Paetongtarn said.

Cambodia, however, has taken the border dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), according to state-run AKP News.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has confirmed that the official letter was handed over to ICJ Registrar Philippe Gautier.