Thailand cuts Laos fuel route as Cambodia border conflict deepens

[BANGKOK] Thailand’s military said on Monday (Dec 15) that it has stopped fuel shipments passing through a border checkpoint with Laos because of fears they were being diverted to Cambodia, with which it is fighting a fierce border conflict.

Thailand’s military has restricted the movement of all fuel supplies through the Chong Mek border crossing into Laos after receiving intelligence that these were being routed to Cambodian troops, said Thai defence ministry spokesperson Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri.

“Our intention is not to cause impacts on the Lao people or government,” he said at a press conference.

The Laotian Foreign Ministry did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

The military is also considering limiting the movement of Thai vessels into “high-risk areas” in Cambodian waters where they could be fired upon, a navy official said, adding that any such measures would not impact shipments from other countries.

A sizeable portion of Cambodia’s refined fuel imports such as gasoline, gasoil and jet fuel comes via the sea route, according to multiple trade sources, though an exact percentage of market share could not be confirmed.

Fighting is continuing in at least nine locations along the frontier, with heavy exchanges of firing across four border provinces, including at the coast, Thai defence ministry spokesperson Surasant said.

Cambodia said Thai forces had used drones and heavy artillery at multiple areas, alongside deploying its F-16 fighter jets for airstrikes in Siem Reap Province, which houses the country’s second-largest city and the major tourist centre of Angkor Wat. “It is also noteworthy that the number of fighter jets and cluster bombs used by the Thai military to attack Cambodia has been increasing significantly,” Maly Socheata, Cambodia Defence Ministry spokesperson, said in a briefing.

Thailand’s military is vastly superior to that of its neighbour, including a much larger navy and one of the best-equipped and trained air forces in South-east Asia that has a fleet of 28 F-16s and 11 Swedish Gripen fighter jets.

SEE ALSO

Thailand considers blocking fuel exports to Cambodia as border conflict escalates

Thailand and Cambodia accuse each other of moves that led to a breakdown of July’s Trump-brokered truce, which was expanded into a wider agreement to help settle the conflict in October.

Bangkok insists that any end to the current fighting must start with a cessation of hostilities by the other side and a clear ceasefire proposal, even as Phnom Penh maintains that it is defending itself against military actions by its neighbours. REUTERS