Starting Monday, Thailand implemented strict land border restrictions, including stopping tourists from entering Cambodia, as the two countries are involved in a border dispute and are taking retaliatory actions against each other.

After an armed clash on May 28, where a Cambodian soldier died in a small, disputed area, the relationship between the two countries has worsened. Although they agreed to reduce the conflict, both sides are still taking or threatening actions that keep the situation tense.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated on Monday that Thailand will strengthen border checks and stop tourists from leaving the country. She added that only students, people needing medical care, and those buying essential goods would be allowed to enter or exit Thailand.

While she asserted the measures were intended to deter individuals travelling towards Cambodia's profitable casinos, it appeared the restrictions would encompass all tourists.

Later on Monday, the Thai army stated that it had put these measures in place at all land border checkpoints between Thailand and Cambodia in five provinces. They also said they were stopping all crossings, except for people who had essential reasons to cross.

In response to the border dispute, Cambodia has boycotted some Thai internet services and stopped the supply of electricity and fuel from Thailand. Before this, Cambodia imported 30% of its gasoline and other fuel from Thailand.

Paetongtarn announced on Monday that Thailand plans to consider stopping exports that could help scam operations in Cambodia. She also stated that Thailand will work with other countries and international organizations to fight against cybercrime based in Southeast Asia.

Earlier this year, Thailand started to take strong action against online scam operations that were growing in neighboring Myanmar. They did this by stopping the electricity, internet, and gas supplies to the border towns where these scams were located.

A recent UN report stated that Cambodia is a central location for complex online scams, where people are forced to trick victims using fake romantic approaches, dishonest investment offers, and illegal gambling websites.

Paetongtarn has received a lot of criticism for her seemingly soft approach to Cambodia, especially from right-wing nationalists who have always been against her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra.

A phone call that was leaked last week between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, who is the Cambodian Senate President and former prime minister, caused a lot of anger and led to calls for Paetongtarn's resignation.

Critics argued that she tried to calm down Hun Sen, who was a long-time friend of her father, and made Thailand appear weak by calling the Thai army commander in charge of the disputed border area an "opponent." As a result, several nationalist activist groups have planned a protest this week to demand Paetongtarn's resignation.