Thailand’s Department of Commerce reports that cross-border trade with Cambodia has almost come to a standstill following the closure of border checkpoints, with activity down by nearly 100 percent in July.
According to Thai media outlet The Nation, Arada Fuangtong, Director General of the Department of Commerce, said on August 26 that bilateral trade had dropped to what she called a “severe negative level” after Thailand shut its border crossings with Cambodia.
Figures show that overall trade between the two countries fell by 97.5 percent in July to just 11.5 million US dollars. Thai exports to Cambodia accounted for nearly all of that amount, at $11.4 million, representing a 97 percent decline. Imports from Cambodia fell even more sharply, dropping 99.8 percent to only 180,000 dollars.
On July 16, Cambodia’s General Department of Customs and Excise announced a ban on Thai-origin goods, including vegetables, fruit, fuel, and gas products such as petrol, diesel, liquefied petroleum gas, heavy oil, and jet fuel.
The decision followed a declaration from Senate President Hun Sen and Prime Minister Hun Manet, who barred the import or transit of Thai goods into Cambodia after the Thai military unilaterally closed the border on June 7.
By August 2025, Cambodia had banned 11 categories of Thai products, including vegetables, fruit, fuel, electricity, internet services, films, and Thai boxing events.
Thai media also report that following Cambodia’s restrictions, Thai diesel exports to Cambodia dropped 7.4 percent, while other refined oil products fell by as much as 33.3 percent. Exports of key consumer goods such as milk, soy milk, energy drinks, and coffee have also seen steep and continued declines.
