# Cambodia-Thailand trade and border tensions

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/cambodia-thailand-trade-and-border-tensions
> Updated: 2026-08-13T09:06:19.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2.

Bilateral trade between Cambodia and Thailand reached $1.61 billion in the first seven months of 2026, reflecting a decline from the $2.4 billion recorded during the same period in 2025. While the rate of decrease has slowed from over 40% in early 2026 to 32.7% by July, Cambodian exports to Thailand fell by 14% to $420 million, and imports from Thailand dropped by 37.5% to $1.19 billion. This shift helped narrow Cambodia’s trade deficit with Thailand to approximately $770 million.

The economic downturn is linked to the closure of land border crossings resulting from escalating tensions and border disputes that began in mid-2025. These disruptions have caused significant local impacts, such as in the industrial hub of Poipet, where a Thai-owned garment factory in the O'Neang Special Economic Zone was forced to suspend operations in July 2026, leading to the loss of over 2,500 jobs.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-13: Cambodia-Thailand trade hits $1.6 billion amid border closures

Cambodia-Thailand bilateral trade fell to $1.6 billion in the first seven months of 2026 amid ongoing border closures, causing significant job losses in industrial zones like Poipet.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cambodia-thailand-trade-hits-16-billion-amid-border-closures

### 2026-08-09: Cambodia rice exports surge to $415 million in first seven months of 2026

Cambodia's milled rice exports rose 68% in volume to 707,471 tons in the first seven months of 2026, earning $415 million, driven largely by demand from the EU, China, and ASEAN nations.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/cambodia-rice-exports-surge-to-415-million-in-first-seven-months-of-2026

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Cite as: Cambodia-Thailand trade and border tensions. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/cambodia-thailand-trade-and-border-tensions