Political situation in Thailand

Thailand closes border crossings with Cambodia

Thailand has closed several border crossings with neighboring Cambodia, reports AFP.

– I wanted to go back last night, but had to sleep in my shop instead because the police wouldn't let me cross the border, says 38-year-old Malin Po. She says she lives in Cambodia, but crosses the border into Thailand almost daily to sell clothes in her shop on that side.

The relationship between Thailand and Cambodia has been tense for a long time, but escalated in June to military confrontations in which a Cambodian soldier was killed. 

Former allies raise distrust of the prime minister

The Thai parliamentary party Bhumjaithai, which recently quit the ruling coalition, plans to raise a vote of no confidence in Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Reuters reports.

Bhumjaithai defected after a leaked phone call in which Shinawatra criticized the military and now says the favor has been used up.

“When parliament opens, the first thing that will happen is that we will submit a motion of no confidence,” says Bhumjaithai spokesman Boontida Somchai.

However, the government points out that despite the defections, it still controls over half of the votes in parliament.

“We are not worried,” says Sorawong Thienthong, tourism minister and party secretary for the ruling party.