Confusion as Bangkok Shuts Land Crossings with Cambodia

Tourists and Cambodians who cross into Thailand for work stranded amid territorial row

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ARANYAPRATHET, Thailand/BANGKOK - Dozens of tourists and workers, some carrying children, were left stranded on June 24 at Thailand's main land crossing with Cambodia, after the army stopped almost all border traffic in an escalating territorial dispute.

Thailand has closed crossing points in all seven border provinces to everyone except students and those seeking medical treatment, after a long-running row erupted into military clashes in May in which a Cambodian soldier was killed.

There was confusion at the Ban Khlong Luek checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province - the main crossing for people travelling overland to Cambodia's Siem Reap, where the Angkor Wat complex is located.

Around 50 Cambodian workers, mostly vendors who regularly cross into Thailand for trade, found themselves stuck at the checkpoint, unable to return home.

"I wanted to go back last night but had to sleep at my shop instead because police didn't allow me to cross," said Ms Malin Po, 38, a clothing seller.

"I usually cross every day because I come to work in Thailand and go back home to Cambodia."