Thailand and Cambodia partner to combat cross-border crimes

Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to boost bilateral cooperation, including efforts to combat online scams, tackle cross-border environmental pollution and improve land transport links.

The agreements were made during the official visit of Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to Phnom Penh yesterday, at the invitation of her Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet.

Both leaders pledged that no groups would be allowed to use their territories for scam activities or other illegal operations. They also announced plans to strengthen military cooperation along the border and to carry out border demining operations.

Both countries will facilitate cross-border movement for tourism and enhance legal mechanisms for recruiting Cambodians to work in Thailand, ensuring they have access to proper welfare and benefits.

Hun Manet told the media that the leaders also discussed information-sharing initiatives, to combat cross-border crimes, such as online fraud, human trafficking and the smuggling of counterfeit goods.

Paetongtarn expressed her gratitude to PM Hun Manet for the strong partnership between their police forces in combating online fraud and eradicating these criminal networks.

She said that the signing of the MoU on transboundary environmental pollution will enhance cooperation in reducing PM2.5 pollution, through the exchange of information and capacity building, adding “We will also work to finalise the Bilateral Road Transport Agreement, to allow private vehicles to cross the border and to develop a cross-border rail freight service to reduce logistics costs.”

The Thai prime minister also said both countries welcome the opening of the Thai consulate general in Siem Reap province of Cambodia, as well as the upcoming Cambodian consulate general in Songkhla province of Thailand.

Moreover, the two prime ministers discussed ways to expand bilateral trade to US$15 billion by 2027.

In 2024, Cambodia’s total trade with Thailand reached US$4.29 billion, a 15.5% increase year-on-year. Cambodia’s exports to Thailand amounted to US$844.9 million, up 3.3%, while Thai imports to Cambodia totalled US$3.44 billion, an 18.9% increase.

Thailand is Cambodia’s fourth-largest trading partner, following China, the US and Vietnam.

In addition to discussions with Hun Manet, Paetongtarn was granted an audience with Cambodia’s King Norodom Sihamoni and met with Senate President Hun Sen and National Assembly President Khuon Sudary.

During the visit, both countries signed agreements on:

• The management, maintenance and use of the Thailand-Cambodia Friendship Bridge

• Employment

• The construction of a new border bridge at the Ban Pak Kard border checkpoint, in Pong Nam Ron district of Chanthaburi province.