Thai-Cambodia Border Tensions Freeze Trade, Inflict 10 Billion Baht Monthly Blow

Bangkok/Phnom Penh, August 5, 2025 — Escalating military clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border have brought cross-border trade to a screeching halt, with the Bank of Thailand estimating losses of 10 billion baht per month. The conflict, rooted in longstanding disputes over colonial-era boundaries, has shuttered key trade checkpoints, disrupting supply chains and threatening the economic stability of border communities in both nations. As diplomatic efforts falter, the ASEAN-India Summit in November 2025 looms as a critical opportunity to address the crisis and restore economic ties.

Trade Paralysis Grips Border Region

The closure of five major border checkpoints—Aranyaprathet, Khlong Yai, Chanthaburi, Chong Chom, and Ban Laem—has choked off a vital trade corridor that accounted for 95.147 billion baht in bilateral trade in the first half of 2025. Thailand’s exports to Cambodia, including beverages, engines, and agricultural goods, have plummeted, while imports of Cambodian vegetables and scrap materials have stalled. The Bank of Thailand’s estimate of 10 billion baht in monthly losses reflects disruptions to local markets, logistics, and small businesses reliant on cross-border commerce.

Local economies are reeling. In Thailand’s Surin and Ubon Ratchathani provinces, markets that thrived on daily trade with Cambodia are deserted, with vendors reporting a 70% drop in sales. Cambodian farmers, who supply fresh produce to Thai markets, face spoilage and lost income due to blocked routes. The Chanthaburi Chamber of Commerce warns that prolonged closures could devastate the region’s agricultural workforce, where Cambodian laborers make up over 80% of fruit processing and packaging workers.

Roots of the Conflict

The clashes, which erupted on July 24, 2025, stem from unresolved disputes over the Preah Vihear Temple and adjacent border areas, a flashpoint since the International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia in 1962. Tensions flared after Cambodia reinforced military positions in May, prompting Thai countermeasures. The conflict has since escalated, with both sides deploying heavy artillery, Thai F-16 jets, and Cambodian rocket systems, leading to at least 38 deaths and the displacement of over 300,000 civilians. A fragile ceasefire brokered by Malaysia on July 28 has failed to hold, with sporadic fighting reported in early August.

Thailand’s rejection of third-party mediation, favoring bilateral talks through the Joint Boundary Commission, has slowed progress. Cambodia’s push for International Court of Justice involvement further complicates negotiations, raising fears of prolonged instability.

Economic Ripple Effects

The trade disruptions threaten broader economic consequences. Thailand’s border trade with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, and Malaysia surpassed 1 trillion baht in the first half of 2025, with Cambodia contributing 91.63 billion baht. A sustained closure could shave 1% off Thailand’s 2025 border trade growth target, reducing it from 3% to 2%. Cambodia’s smaller economy faces even graver risks, with potential job losses of over 185,000 workers, equivalent to 1.1% of its GDP.

The crisis also jeopardles fears for the India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway, a flagship connectivity project set for completion in 2026. Delays in Myanmar due to the conflict could hinder plans to extend the highway to Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam, a key discussion point for the upcoming ASEAN-India Summit. Indian and Thai businesses, particularly in automotive and pharmaceutical sectors, risk supply chain bottlenecks if the situation persists.

ASEAN-India Summit: A Path to Resolution?

The ASEAN-India Summit, scheduled for November 2025 in New Delhi, offers a platform to address the crisis. Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, is pushing for a regional dialogue to de-escalate tensions and reopen trade routes. India, a key partner in ASEAN’s economic framework, could play a pivotal role by advocating for trade stabilization measures. Proposed initiatives include emergency trade corridors using sea routes and a joint ASEAN-India fund to support affected border communities.

The summit will also advance the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement review, which could ease tariffs on Thai and Cambodian goods entering India, offsetting some losses. India’s expertise in digital trade platforms could further support virtual marketplaces to bypass physical border closures, a potential lifeline for SMEs in both nations.

Navigating the Road Ahead

As the conflict simmers, both Thailand and Cambodia are exploring contingency measures. Thailand’s Commerce Ministry is organizing border trade fairs in September 2025 to identify alternative routes and markets, while Cambodia is redirecting exports through Vietnam. However, these measures offer only temporary relief. Without a lasting ceasefire and restored checkpoint access, the 10 billion baht monthly losses could spiral, undermining the economic resilience of both nations.

The ASEAN-India Summit represents a beacon of hope, but its success hinges on Thailand and Cambodia’s willingness to prioritize diplomacy over nationalism. For now, border communities brace for further hardship, as the cost of conflict continues to mount.