June 1, 2026
PHNOM PENH – Penn Sovicheat, spokesperson for the Ministry of Commerce, has highlighted how the Cambodia–Thailand border dispute and the boycott of Thai products by Cambodian consumers have caused a sharp decline in the flow of Thai goods into the Cambodian market, with many products nearly disappearing entirely.
The General Department of Customs and Excise (GDCE) reported that from January to April, trade between the two nations amounted to $925.45 million, a decline of 38.1% from the same period the previous year.
Exports to Thailand were valued at $234.92 million, down 28.3%, while imports totalled $690.53 million, down 40.8%.
Speaking at the “What Principles Does Cambodia Rely on to Ensure the Stability of National Products?” roundtable discussion, held at the Royal Academy of Cambodia on May 29, Sovicheat explained that imports had “fallen dramatically since the Thais triggered an armed conflict”.
“Some goods have decreased by 70%, but imports have not stopped entirely. Certain automobile spare parts still need to be imported because before the dispute, engine factories were located there, component factories elsewhere and assembly plants elsewhere. Some agricultural machinery parts are also still being imported. However, oil, gas, fruit and vegetable imports have been completely halted,” he said.
He noted that some continue to enter via sea and air transport because Cambodia has not completely severed trade flows, and limited bilateral trade activities continue.