Thailand has reduced the permitted stay for Cambodian nationals to seven days starting June 9, in a reciprocal move following a similar decision by Cambodia.
The Thai government has announced a new visa restriction for Cambodian nationals, limiting their duration of stay in Thailand to just seven days, a significant reduction from the previous 60-day allowance. The change, revealed on June 9 by Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura, is seen as a direct response to Cambodia’s recent decision to impose an identical restriction on Thai citizens.
The Cambodian government’s action came a day earlier, tightening the rules for Thai nationals entering Cambodia. While no official explanation has been provided for the original move by Phnom Penh, the Thai Foreign Ministry has stated that its own decision is a reciprocal measure.
Nikorndej did not specify how long the new Thai regulation would remain in place. The sudden shift comes even as bilateral tensions have reportedly cooled, with Cambodian troops recently pulling back from a previously disputed zone in Ubon Ratchathani’s Nam Yuen district, which borders Cambodia.
Although military de-escalation has taken place, the visa restrictions suggest ongoing diplomatic friction between the two Southeast Asian neighbours. Observers note that cross-border regulations often reflect broader geopolitical concerns beyond the immediate military or territorial issues.
The Thai Foreign Ministry has not announced any exceptions or transitional measures for Cambodian citizens already residing in Thailand under the previous visa terms.
The announcement follows earlier reports by Thai PBS World and other local media outlets that both governments are closely monitoring developments at the shared border.
