Thailand bans Cambodian motorbikes at all checkpoints

Thailand has banned Cambodian motorcycles from entering via all checkpoints after Phnom Penh halted fuel imports, escalating border tensions.

Thailand has banned Cambodian motorcycles from entering via all checkpoints after Phnom Penh halted fuel imports, escalating border tensions.

The Burapha Taskforce on Monday banned Cambodian motorcycles from crossing all border checkpoints, following Cambodia’s suspension of oil and gas imports from Thailand amid escalating tensions between the two neighbouring countries.

The taskforce announced that the ban, which took effect at 5am, would remain in place until further notice. The move came in response to the Cambodian government’s announcement on Sunday night of a halt to petrol and gas imports from Thailand.

According to the taskforce, the restriction on Cambodian motorcycles, sidecars, and pushcarts is part of heightened security measures along the Thai-Cambodian border to ensure maximum safety.

The ban is being enforced at the following border crossings:


Ban Klong Luek border crossing
Thai-Cambodian Friendship Bridge crossing
Ban Khao Din crossing
Ban Ta Phraya temporary crossing
Ban Nong Prue temporary crossing


When the border crossings opened on Monday morning, Thai troops and immigration police prevented several Cambodians from riding their motorcycles across the checkpoints.

Cambodian officials attempted to negotiate for leniency, arguing they had not been informed of the measure in advance. Many Cambodian workers also expressed frustration at being unable to ride their motorcycles through the checkpoints.

As a result, the workers were forced to leave their motorcycles on the Cambodian side and cross the border on foot.



Sa Kaeo immigration police estimate that around 30,000 Cambodians live and work at the Rong Klua Market. The motorcycle ban is believed to have caused significant inconvenience for them.

Thai officials said that, under normal circumstances, hundreds of Cambodians would ride their motorcycles across the Ban Klong Luek crossing each day to refuel on the Thai side.

However, on Monday morning, only a few Cambodians turned up to cross the border at Ban Klong Luek.

(2025/06/23-00:00)