AKP Phnom Penh, June 13, 2026 —

Samdech Akka Moha Sena Padei Techo Hun Sen, Acting Head of State of the Kingdom of Cambodia, has called for stricter action against goods entering Cambodia through land border crossings, stressing that products crossing a closed land border should be considered illegal.

In a public statement this morning, Samdech Techo said there may have been misunderstandings, deliberate misinterpretations, violations, corruption, or misconduct by dishonest officials and traders that allowed newly produced Thai goods to continue appearing in the Cambodian market.

He clarified that as long as the Cambodia-Thailand land border remains closed, all goods imported through land crossings should be regarded as illegal and considered smuggled products.

“When the land border is closed, people cannot cross and goods should not cross either,” Samdech Techo stated.

At the same time, he distinguished land transport from other channels, noting that the movement of people and goods by sea and air remains under normal operation between Cambodia and Thailand. He said customs authorities are responsible for determining whether imports arriving through seaports and airports comply with legal requirements.

Samdech Techo urged relevant authorities to focus enforcement efforts on goods transported across land borders, arguing that it is inconsistent for land crossings to remain closed while merchandise continues to enter the country.

He also rejected explanations that such products were old stock, pointing out that some goods found on the market were manufactured in 2026, despite the land border having remained closed for about a year.

Samdech Techo further remarked that even if some products had remained in storage, many should already have reached or approached their expiration period, while encouraging consumers to make purchasing decisions carefully and responsibly.

By C. Nika