While officially justified as a measure to combat cybercriminal activities, the move also appears to be influenced by ongoing border disputes and escalating tensions between the two nations.
According to local media, the order targets data and voice communications near the border in the Khlong Luek crossing area, located in Sa Kaeo’s Aranyaprathet district, opposite Cambodia’s Poipet. Telecom operators are tasked with ensuring that the service disruptions do not affect Thai residents and workers in the area, with measures such as deploying mobile SIM vehicles to maintain connectivity.
Operators with branches in Cambodia must establish separate transmission systems to keep services operational for their customers there. Additionally, SIM card users in Cambodia will need to provide identification and usage purpose details, while operators are required to submit sales reports to the NBTC every 15 days. The NBTC states that fourteen Thai companies currently provide broadband internet services in Cambodia.
The NBTC’s official rationale is to target cross-border call centre gangs that have been operating fraud hubs just outside Thailand’s borders, utilizing illegal cross-border fibre optic cables, telecom towers, and Starlink kits to extend their reach into Thai territory.
This development follows recent regulatory moves, including directives to limit antenna heights near the border zones — antennas within 50 meters must be removed or kept below specified heights — and restrictions within certain proximity ranges to prevent illegal communications infrastructure.
The border situation has worsened since a clash in late May, in which a Cambodian soldier was killed, leading to heightened tensions. Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet has ordered officials to cut internet and electricity services to Thailand in retaliation. Additionally, Thai authorities recently shut down cargo and tourist traffic at border provinces including Buri Ram, Sa Kaeo, Si Sa Ket, Surin, and Ubon Ratchathani, with exceptions made for humanitarian cases.
