BANGKOK – Thousands of Thai nationals remain stranded in the Cambodian border town of Poipet after authorities there indefinitely postponed a promised humanitarian corridor that was scheduled to open on Saturday. The move has left approximately 3,000 Thais who gathered at the checkpoint with their belongings unable to return home.

Thai Embassy Seeks Clearance as Cambodia Blocks Thais from Returning Home

Cambodian officials had earlier agreed to open the Poipet crossing, opposite Thailand’s Khlong Luek checkpoint in Sa Kaeo province, for a three-hour window on Saturday afternoon to allow the return of Thais, many of whom work in the local casino industry. Thai authorities mobilized a rapid response, deploying buses, trucks, ambulances, and support personnel within 20 minutes to receive the returnees.

However, at the designated 1 p.m. start time, Cambodian officials informed their Thai counterparts that the release was cancelled with no new timetable provided. Thai personnel and vehicles were subsequently withdrawn from the area, and journalists were asked to leave for safety reasons.

The stranded Thais had initially gathered at the border on Thursday, hoping to cross as fighting escalated along the frontier. They were reportedly pushed back from the immediate checkpoint area by Cambodian soldiers. The Thai ambassador in Phnom Penh had formally requested Cambodia’s Interior Ministry to allow their return on humanitarian grounds.

Hun Sen ordered Thai nationals in #Cambodia not to return home until a ceasefire is declared, while Thailand has opened routes for Cambodian workers to return home in accordance with human rights principles. pic.twitter.com/mM3oFxRPp3

— TAU (ต้อ) (@NC31Aug) December 13, 2025

In a related development, Cambodian Senate President and former Prime Minister Hun Sen called on the government on Saturday afternoon to suspend all cross-border travel for both Thai and Cambodian citizens, citing safety concerns. He advised Cambodians working in Thailand and Thais in Cambodia to remain where they are until further notice.

Thai authorities estimate that about 6,000 nationals have sought to leave Cambodia since the latest clashes began. The Thai military’s Burapha Task Force emphasized that it had earlier repatriated over 7,000 Cambodian nationals without conditions, stating that civilians should not be used as leverage in the military conflict.

Ceasefire Claim Unravels as Thai-Cambodian Border Fighting Continues

Meanwhile, fighting continued for a sixth day along the Sa Kaeo border on Saturday. Heavy artillery exchanges were reported in the Ban Nong Chan (Chok Chey) area, with Thai forces conducting operations to retake control. The Burapha Task Force reported that control of the area had not yet been secured, while Thai forces stated they had regained control of Ban Nong Ya Kaeo (Prey Chan), though sporadic fighting continued. The frontline in Ta Phraya district remained quiet.

-Thailand News (TN)