Thailand Confirms Halt on Oil Exports to Cambodia Amid Border Security Measures
Bangkok reiterates strict enforcement of energy export controls, affirming fuel imported via Laos must remain within Laos and not be diverted to Cambodia
Thailand’s Ministry of Energy has formally confirmed that the Kingdom has not exported any oil to Cambodia since July this year, underscoring that refined fuel entering Laos from Thailand may only be used within Lao territory and must not be diverted south into Cambodia.
This clarification follows heightened security concerns linked to the ongoing border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia.
The ministry emphasised that national security remains the foremost priority in regulating energy exports.
Deputy Permanent Secretary for Energy Virophat Kiattifongphu said all Thai oil traders have cooperated fully with the government’s directive not to sell or ship petroleum products to Cambodia.
Authorities have also instructed provincial energy offices along the Laos and Cambodian borders to intensify inspections to prevent any illicit cross-border diversion of fuel supplies.
Since July, the ministry stated, no legal export of Thai oil to Cambodia has occurred, and monitoring to prevent unlawful transfers continues.
The issue has arisen against the backdrop of an expanded conflict along the Thailand–Cambodia border, where both governments have reported military engagements and disrupted bilateral trade routes.
Thailand earlier moved to restrict fuel shipments passing through the Chong Mek crossing into Laos amid intelligence suggesting possible diversion of supplies towards Cambodian markets, a move linked to strategic control efforts amid escalating hostilities.
Thai officials said the measures are targeted at safeguarding resource integrity without harming the Laotian government or its people.
Cambodia, for its part, had announced a broader ban on fuel and gas imports from Thailand earlier in the year amid deteriorating diplomatic relations.
Bangkok’s reinforced export controls reflect its broader security posture while reassuring domestic and regional partners of adherence to legal and regulatory frameworks governing energy trade.
The ministry reiterated the legal requirement for oil exporters to report all export data to the Department of Energy Business, and stressed that violations of export reporting rules can attract penalties under Thai law.
This clarification follows heightened security concerns linked to the ongoing border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia.
The ministry emphasised that national security remains the foremost priority in regulating energy exports.
Deputy Permanent Secretary for Energy Virophat Kiattifongphu said all Thai oil traders have cooperated fully with the government’s directive not to sell or ship petroleum products to Cambodia.
Authorities have also instructed provincial energy offices along the Laos and Cambodian borders to intensify inspections to prevent any illicit cross-border diversion of fuel supplies.
Since July, the ministry stated, no legal export of Thai oil to Cambodia has occurred, and monitoring to prevent unlawful transfers continues.
The issue has arisen against the backdrop of an expanded conflict along the Thailand–Cambodia border, where both governments have reported military engagements and disrupted bilateral trade routes.
Thailand earlier moved to restrict fuel shipments passing through the Chong Mek crossing into Laos amid intelligence suggesting possible diversion of supplies towards Cambodian markets, a move linked to strategic control efforts amid escalating hostilities.
Thai officials said the measures are targeted at safeguarding resource integrity without harming the Laotian government or its people.
Cambodia, for its part, had announced a broader ban on fuel and gas imports from Thailand earlier in the year amid deteriorating diplomatic relations.
Bangkok’s reinforced export controls reflect its broader security posture while reassuring domestic and regional partners of adherence to legal and regulatory frameworks governing energy trade.
The ministry reiterated the legal requirement for oil exporters to report all export data to the Department of Energy Business, and stressed that violations of export reporting rules can attract penalties under Thai law.
