Cambodia–Thailand border

International border

Cambodia–Thailand border

The natural border between Cambodia (left) and Thailand (right) in Khao Preah Vihear National Park, Thailand

Characteristics
Entities|  Cambodia  Thailand
Length| 817 kilometres
History
Current shape| 1907

The Cambodia–Thailand border is the international border between Cambodia and Thailand. The border is 817 km (508 mi) in length and runs from the tripoint with Laos in the north-east to the Gulf of Thailand in the south.[1]

## Description

[edit]

The border starts in the north-east at the tripoint with Thailand at Preah Chambot peak in the Dângrêk Mountains and the follows the crest of the mountains westwards.[2] Upon leaving the mountains the border turns south-westwards in a broad arc, occasionally utilising rivers such as the Svay Chek, the Sisophon, the Phrom Hot and Mongkol Borei. It then proceeds south, partly along the Cardamom Mountains, terminating at the Gulf of Thailand coast. This latter section runs very close to the Gulf, producing a long, thin strip of Thai territory.[2]

## History

[edit]

The disputed Preah Vihear temple The border crossing at Poipet

The boundary area has historically switched back and forth between various Khmer and Thai empires.[2] From the 1860s France began establishing a presence in the region, initially in modern Cambodia and Vietnam, and later Laos, with the colony of French Indochina being created in 1887.[2][3] In 1867 a Franco-Thai treaty confirmed Thai ownership of the Battambang and Angkor (Nakhou Siemrap) regions.[2][3] In 1896 Britain (based in Burma) and France agreed to leave Siam (the then name for Thailand) as a buffer state between their respective colonies.[2] However France continued to expand at the expense of Siam, annexing northern Cambodia in 1904 and then Battambang, Sisophon and Siem Reap in 1907, whilst ceding Trat to Siam. The modern Cambodian-Thai border was as such delimited through several treaties between France and Siam between 1867 and 1907.[2][3] Following the Japanese invasion of French Indochina in 1940 areas ceded to France in 1904 and 1907 were returned to Thailand, however this was reversed following Japan's defeat and the pre-war border restored in 1946.[2][3]

Map of the Cambodia-Thailand border

Cambodia gained independence in 1953, and since then the two states have had a fractious relationship.[4] A Cambodian–Thai border dispute arose in the late 1950s over the ownership of the Preah Vihear Temple, which lies adjacent to the border in the Dângrêk Mountains.[2] In 1962 the case was referred to the International Court of Justice, which ruled in favour of Cambodia, however Thailand expressed reservations as to the outcome.[2][5] The mid-1960s also saw a dispute over ownership of Ko Kut island.[3] These disputes faded as Cambodia became engulfed in a series of conflicts in the following decades and the disastrous rule of the Khmer Rouge, with thousands of refugees crossing the border.[3] By 1981, over 250,000 Cambodian and Vietnamese refugees lived in twenty camps along the border, supported by international aid agencies and the United Nations Border Relief Operation.[6]

Sporadic fighting broke out along the border following Vietnam's invasion of Cambodia in 1979 which forced the Khmer Rouge to flee to camps on the border with Thailand, using them as a base throughout the 1980s until Vietnam withdrew from the country in 1989. On 18 February 1994, the Khmer Rouge led by Pol Pot (Saloth Sâr) rebuilt their headquarters at Dângrêk Mountains located in Anlong Veng near the Thai border.[7] In an effort to stop Khmer Rouge infiltration from Thailand, Cambodia built a large fortified fence along the border in the second half of the 1980s.[8][9]

Since the advent of peace in Cambodia in the early 1990s relations with Thailand have once again soured over the Preah Vihear issue, as well as, to a lesser extent, Ko Kut island.[3] A border commission was set up in 1995 in an attempt to settle the issues peacefully, however by 2013 it had made little progress and a full border demarcation satisfactory to both sides remained outstanding.[3][10][11]

Armed fighting broke out at various times from 2008 to 2011. As of September 2022, government officials said border demarcation had been completed in 13 areas, and that the remaining 11 were under negotiation.[12]

On May 28, 2025, one Royal Cambodian Army soldier was killed during a clash with Thai troops. Both Cambodia and Thailand accused the other of trespassing on their respective territories. Phumtham Wechayachai, Thailand's Defense Minister, claimed that opening fire was not intended on both sides.[13][14][15][16] Cambodia stated that it will litigate the dispute with the International Court of Justice.[17]

## Border crossings

[edit]

As of 2019[update], there were 7 permanent border crossings, 1 temporary border crossing, 9 checkpoints for border trade and 1 checkpoint for tourism which is currently closed.[18]

### Permanent border crossings

[edit]

No  | Cambodia  | Thailand  | Notes

|
|
|

Road  | Border post  | Road  | Border post  | Opening hours
1  | 66  | Choam, Anlong Veng District, Oddar Meanchey | 2201  | Chong Sa-ngam, Phu Sing District, Sisaket | 0700–2000  |
2  | 68  | O Smach, Samraong Municipality, Oddar Meanchey | 214  | Chong Chom, Kap Choeng District, Surin | 0600–2200  |
3  | 5  | Poipet, Poipet Municipality, Banteay Meanchey | 33  | Ban Klong Luk, Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo | 0600–2200  | Road and railway checkpoint. Rail: Rail link between Ban Klong Luk Border railway station and Poipet railway station reopened in April 2019, but services are currently suspended due to COVID-19.[may be outdated]
4  | 57B  | Phnom Dei, Sampov Loun District, Battambang | 4058  | Ban Khao Din, Khlong Hat District, Sa Kaeo | 0600–2200  |
5  | 4033  | Daung, Kamrieng District, Battambang | 4033  | Ban Laem, Pong Nam Ron District, Chanthaburi | 0600–2200  |
6  | 57  | Phsar Prum, Sala Krau District, Pailin | Khlong Yai- Mueang Prum Road  | Ban Phak Kad, Pong Nam Ron District, Chanthaburi | 0600–2200  |
7  | 48  | Cham Yeam, Mondol Seima District, Koh Kong | 3  | Ban Hat Lek, Khlong Yai District, Trat | 0600–2200  |

### Temporary border crossing

[edit]

One temporary border crossing exists for the construction of the Thai-Cambodia Friendship Bridge only, which will become a permanent border crossing in the future.

No  | Cambodia  | Thailand  | Notes

|
|
|

Border post  | Border post  | Opening hours
1  | Stueng Bat, Poipet Municipality, Banteay Meanchey | Ban Nong Ian, Aranyaprathet District, Sa Kaeo | –  | Under Construction. Border crossing across the new Thai-Cambodia Friendship Bridge.

### Checkpoints for border trade

[edit]

There are 9 checkpoints officially recognized by the Ministry of Interior which are open for cross-border local trade only, located in Ubon Ratchathani, Buriram, Sa Kaeo, Chanthaburi and Trat provinces. Entering the opposite country beyond these checkpoints and their associated markets is illegal.

### Checkpoint for tourism

[edit]

There is one checkpoint for tourism, which is currently closed since June 2008 due to the Preah Vihear dispute and eventual cession of Preah Vihear Temple to Cambodia.

No  | Cambodia  | Thailand  | Notes

|
|
|

Border post  | Border post  | Opening hours
1  | Preah Vihear Temple, Choam Khsant District, Preah Vihear | Pha Mo I Daeng, Kantharalak District, Sisaket | –  | Checkpoint closed.

## See also

[edit]

* Cambodia–Thailand relations
* Cambodian–Thai border dispute
* Cambodian humanitarian crisis
* Vietnamese border raids in Thailand
* Indochina refugee crisis
* Nong Chan Refugee Camp
* Nong Samet Refugee Camp
* Sa Kaeo Refugee Camp
* Site Two Refugee Camp
* Khao-I-Dang

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Cambodia". CIA World Factbook. Retrieved 19 September 2020.
2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j "International Boundary Study No. 40 – Cambodia – Thailand Boundary (Revised)" (PDF). US Department of State. 23 November 1966. Retrieved 20 September 2020.
3. ^ a b c d e f g h St John, Ronald Bruce. "The Land Boundaries of Indochina: Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam" (PDF). International Boundaries Research Unit, Department of Geography, University of Durham. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 November 2020. Retrieved 17 September 2020.
4. ^ Kamm, Henry (1998). Cambodia: report from a stricken land. New York: Arcade Publishing. p. 27. ISBN 1-55970-433-0.
5. ^ Case Concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear (Cambodia v. Thailand), Merits Archived June 3, 2013, at the Wayback Machine, [1962] I.C.J. Reports 6, p. 23
6. ^ Shawcross W. The Quality of Mercy: Cambodia, Holocaust, and Modern Conscience. New York: Simon and Schuster, 1984
7. ^ Puangthong Rungswasdisab, Thailand's Response to the Cambodian Genocide
8. ^ Margaret Slocomb, "The K5 Gamble: National Defence and Nation Building under the People's Republic of Kampuchea", Journal of Southeast Asian Studies (2001), 32 : 195–210 Cambridge University Press
9. ^ NewScientist – "The killing minefields of Cambodia"
10. ^ "Preah Vihear temple: Disputed land Cambodian, court rules". BBC News. November 11, 2013. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
11. ^ Walsh, Eddie (May 24, 2011). "China and Thai-Cambodia Spat". The Diplomat. Archived from the original on July 29, 2011. Retrieved July 25, 2011.
12. ^ "Cambodian border growing clearer". Bangkok Post. 2 September 2022. Retrieved 29 June 2025.
13. ^ One killed after Thai and Cambodian soldiers briefly clash in a disputed border area. AP News. May 28, 2025.
14. ^ Cambodian soldier killed in clash with Thai army. AP News, Agence France-Presse. May 28, 2025. Kieran Burke
15. ^ Cambodian border troops in brief firefight with Thai military. The Phnom Penh Post. Hong Raksmey. May 28, 2025.
16. ^ Cambodian soldier killed in Thai border gunfight. Bangkok Post. May 28, 2025.
17. ^ Cambodia Says It Will Take Thai Border Dispute to International Court. The Diplomat. Sebastian Strangio. June 3, 2025.
18. ^ "ข้อมูลช่องทางผ่านแดนและความตกลงเรื่องการสัญจรข้ามแดน". Foreign Affairs Division Office, Office of the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of the Interior.

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Borders of Cambodia

* Laos
* Thailand
* Vietnam

* v
* t
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Borders of Thailand and international crossings

| Cambodia|

* Aranyaprathet (Poipet)
* Ban Pakard (Phsar Prom to Pailin)
* Ban Laem (Daun Laem, Kamrieng)
* Ban Khao Din, Khlong Hat District (Sampov Lun and Phnom Dai)
* Hat Lek of Khlong Yai (Koh Kong)
* Chong Jom, Kap Choeng District (O Smach)
* Chong Sa Ngam (Anlong Veng)

|

Laos|

* Mukdahan ( Savannakhet)
* Ubon to Chong Mek (Vang Tao to Pakse)
* Nakhon Phanom (Thakhek)
* Nong Khai and Ban Mo (Vientiane)
* Nan to Huai Kon (Muang Ngeun)
* Loei to Tha Li (Nam Hueng)
* Chiang Khong (Huay Xai)
* Ban Sop Ruak, Chiang Saen (Golden Triangle Special Economic Zone)
* Bueng Kan (Paksan)
* Dan Pudu (to Pak Lay)

Myanmar|

* Mae Sot (Myawaddy)
* Mae Sai (Tachilek)
* Ban Sop Ruak, Chiang Saen (Paradise Resort Golden Triangle)
* Ranong (Kawthaung)
* Phu Nam Ron (Htee Khee)
* Singkhon Pass) (Maw Daung)
* Sangkhla Buri and Three Pagodas Pass (Payathonzu)
* Bong Ti (Sinbyudaing)
* Nong Uk (Namaklwe)

Indonesia|

* Phuket (Port of Belawan)

Malaysia|

* Padang Besar, Thailand (Padang Besar, Malaysia)
* Wang Prachan (Wang Kelian)
* Sadao (Bukit Kayu Hitam, Changlun)
* Tak Bai to Ban Ta Ba (Pengkalan Kubor)
* Sungai Kolok (Rantau Panjang)
* Buke Ta (Bukit Bunga)
* Betong (Bukit Berapit)
* Laem Thammalang or Ko Lipe (Langkawi)
* Ban Prakop (Kota Putra/Durian Burung)

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