Immigration officials agree to open checkpoint on Saturday but then say repatriation would not proceed

Many Thais in Poipet wait at the Cambodian immigration checkpoint opposite the Khlong Luek border checkpoint in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo on Dec 11. As of Saturday, they remain unable to return to Thailand as Cambodian authorities indefinitely delayed their release. (Photo: Sa Kaeo public relations office)

Thousands of Thai nationals stranded on the Cambodian side of the border in Poipet remain unable to return to Thailand, after Cambodian authorities indefinitely delayed their release, despite earlier assurances that they would be allowed to cross back into Thailand.

According to local reports, Cambodian authorities agreed to open the Poipet checkpoint, opposite the Khlong Luek border checkpoint in Aranyaprathet district of Sa Kaeo, on Saturday between 1pm and 4pm to facilitate the return of Thais who had been working in the Cambodian casino town.

Upon receiving this information, Thai authorities rapidly mobilised personnel and vehicles, completing preparations in less than 20 minutes, said a source at the scene. Transport included local songthaew trucks, vehicles from the Department of Disaster Prevention and Mitigation, military buses, and rescue and ambulance units to accommodate sick or vulnerable returnees.

However, at 1pm, Cambodian authorities informed their Thai counterparts that the release would not proceed and that no new timetable had been set. Thai officials promptly withdrew all personnel and vehicles from the area, while police instructed journalists waiting at the checkpoint to leave for safety reasons.

An estimated 3,000 Thais gathered at the Poipet checkpoint with their belongings on Thursday, hoping to return amid escalating clashes along the contested frontier. Cambodian soldiers reportedly pushed the stranded Thais back from the immediate vicinity of the checkpoint.

Subsequently, the Thai ambassador in Phnom Penh asked Cambodia’s Interior Ministry to allow Thai nationals to return on humanitarian grounds.

On Saturday afternoon, Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen called on the Cambodian government to suspend cross-border travel for both Thai and Cambodian citizens.

Writing on his official Facebook page, the former prime minister cited safety concerns and the need to prevent possible harm to civilians during transit. Under the directive, Cambodian nationals working in Thailand are advised to remain in Thailand for the time being, while Thai citizens currently in Cambodia should also stay put until further notice, he said.

Thai authorities said earlier that about 6,000 Thai nationals had registered to leave Cambodia since the latest outbreak of fighting began.

Thailand’s Burapha Task Force said it repatriated 7,118 Cambodian nationals on Dec 10 without conditions, stressing that the ongoing conflict was strictly between military forces and that civilians should not be used as leverage.

Saturday marked the sixth day of fighting along the Sa Kaeo border. Heavy artillery and explosions were reported from 6am in Ban Nong Chan also known as Chok Chey, in Khok Sung district of Sa Kaeo, with plumes of smoke rising into the sky as Thai forces conducted operations to retake the area. The Burapha Task Force reported that control of Ban Chok Chey had not yet been secured.

Thai forces said they had regained control of Ban Nong Ya Kaeo, also known as Prey Chan, though sporadic fighting continued.

In contrast, the frontline in Ta Phraya district remained quiet, with no reports of gunfire since late Friday night.