Cambodia threatens Thai fruits ban as tensions over border disputes continue to soar

PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia on Monday said it would stop importing Thai fruits and vegetables if Thailand refused to lift border restrictions imposed following a deadly clash in one of the disputed areas between the two countries.

An armed confrontation at the border on May 28 left one Cambodian soldier dead. The incident, which each side blamed on the other, reportedly took place in a relatively small “no man’s land” along their border that both countries claim as their own.

Cambodian and Thai authorities have engaged in saber-rattling since last week, and continue to implement or threaten measures short of armed force, keeping tensions high. Thailand has added restrictions at border crossings, and Cambodia has banned Thai movies and TV shows and implemented a boycott of the neighboring country’s international internet links.

Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, the former prime minister, said in a televised speech Monday that the ban on Thai fruits and vegetables would take effect if Thailand doesn’t lift the border restrictions by Tuesday.

Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra later said Thailand decided to impose the border restrictions out of safety concerns for the citizens of both countries due to the heavier presence of armed forces along the areas. She also said any “unprofessional communication” that was conveyed outside a bilateral mechanism would only hurt the interests of both sides.

Officials of the two countries met over the weekend in Cambodia’s capital, Phnom Penh, on the conflicting territorial claims that led to last month’s deadly confrontation. While both sides said the meeting was held in a good atmosphere, it appears no major breakthrough was achieved to resolve the current spat.

Cambodia on Sunday said it has officially submitted a request to the U.N.’s International Court of Justice, seeking a resolution to the ongoing border disputes with Thailand in four areas. The Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Border Affairs said after the weekend meetings concluded that Cambodia would no longer discuss these areas under the bilateral mechanism of the two countries.

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Monday that it was deeply disappointed that Cambodia refused to address the disputes through the existing mechanism and reiterated that Thailand does not accept the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice.

Both however agreed to participate in the next round of meetings on border issues to be hosted by Thailand in September.

Much of their war of words has appeared intended to mollify nationalistic critics on both sides of the border. In Thailand, the elected government of Prime Minister Paetongtarn has been attacked by right-wing nationalists who are longtime foes of her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

There is a long history to the territorial disputes between the two countries. Thailand is still rankled by a 1962 ICJ ruling that awarded Cambodia the disputed territory where the historic Preah Vihear temple stands. There were sporadic though serious clashes there in 2011. The ruling was reaffirmed in 2013.

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Associated Press writer Jintamas Saksornchai in Bangkok contributed to this report.

FILE - Cambodian Minister in charge of State Secretariat of Border Affairs Lam Chea, right, shakes hands with Thai Border Affairs Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Prasas Prasasvinitchai, left, during a meeting of the Cambodian-Thai joint commission on demarcation for land boundary in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, file)

Cambodian Minister in charge of State Secretariat of Border Affairs Lam Chea, center, attends a meeting of the Cambodian-Thai joint commission on demarcation for land boundary in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Thai Border Affairs Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Prasas Prasasvinitchai, second from left, attends a meeting of the Cambodian-Thai joint commission on demarcation for land boundary in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

Cambodian Minister in charge of State Secretariat of Border Affairs Lam Chea, right, shakes hands with Thai Border Affairs Advisor to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Prasas Prasasvinitchai, left, during a meeting of the Cambodian-Thai joint commission on demarcation for land boundary in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, Saturday, June 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith)

MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Gabriel Martinelli scored a hat trick as Arsenal advanced to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a 4-1 win at Portsmouth on Sunday.

The Premier League leader came back from going a goal down to the second tier Championship team inside three minutes.

Colby Bishop stunned Arsenal with the opening goal at Fratton Park, but the lead only lasted five minutes when Andre Dozzell scored an own goal. Martinelli put the visitors ahead in the 25th and struck twice in the second half.

Leeds was also behind to Championship opposition, but recovered from 1-0 down to beat Derby 3-1 at Pride Park.

Third-tier Mansfield pulled off an upset to beat Championship side Sheffield United 4-3 and Norwich routed Walsall 5-1.

James Robson is at https://x.com/jamesalanrobson

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Leeds United's James Justin scores their side's third goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup third round match between Derby County and Leeds United, in Derby, England, Sunday Jan. 11, 2026. (David Davies/PA via AP)

Leeds United's Ao Tanaka, right, celebrates with Wilfried Gnonto after scoring their side's second goal of the game during the Emirates FA Cup third round match between Derby County and Leeds United, in Derby, England, Sunday Jan. 11, 2026. (David Davies/PA via AP)

Arsenal players celebrate after a goal during the FA Cup third round soccer match between Portsmouth and Arsenal in Portsmouth, England, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)