As Thailand-Cambodia border conflict heats up, Thai casino workers told to stay home

The Thailand-Cambodia conflict is deepening following a 28 May border skirmish that killed a Cambodian soldier. At the centre of the conflict is an 820-kilometre land border, including some stretches that are claimed by both sides.

Since the incident last month, both Cambodia and Thailand have engaged in tit-for-tat measures. Thailand threatened to cut power and internet access to Cambodia, especially to scam centres and illegal casinos. Cambodia banned Thai media and the shipping of fruits and vegetables from Thai purveyors. Starting 8 June, both countries restricted border-crossing hours.

In the latest salvo, effective 8am Tuesday, the Royal Thai Army ordered all Thai nationals who work at Cambodian casinos to stay home until further notice. According to the Bangkok Post, leisure travellers are also barred from crossing into Cambodia, including for “gambling reasons”.

Blow for Cambodia’s foreigner-only casinos

The dispute is taking a bite out of business at foreigner-only casinos in Poipet. The border town known as Cambodia’s Sin City is about three hours from Bangkok and hosts eight casinos. Up to 90% of patrons are day trippers from Thailand, with the rest hailing from China and Western countries.

Since border restrictions were imposed, Donaco International, operator of Poipet’s Star Vegas Casino, has posted a 62% drop in casino traffic and a 42% decline in hotel occupancy. In a filing to the Australian Securities Exchange, the company acknowledged the disruption will affect revenue in June. It promised to “update shareholders as appropriate”.

“While the current situation is relatively calm,” Donaca stated, “underlying disputes persist and the Thai government continues to impose measures impacting movements across the border.”

Thailand rejects third-party mediation

In a Facebook post Monday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said he has asked the International Court of Justice in The Hague to mediate the dispute. “Cambodia chooses international law and peace,” he proclaimed. 

But Thailand’s foreign ministry rejected that plan. “A third party may not always be conducive to the preservation of amicable relations among states,” it stated. “Particularly in sensitive matters involving complex historical, territorial or political dimensions.”