Due to increasing tensions in their border dispute, Thailand started imposing strict land border restrictions on Monday, which included preventing tourists from entering Cambodia as a reciprocal action.

After an armed conflict 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 continue to take actions or threaten measures that maintain high tension.

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated on Monday that Thailand plans to increase checks at its land borders and prevent tourists from leaving. She explained that only students, people needing medical care, and those buying essential items would be allowed to enter or exit Thailand.

She stated that the measures were designed to stop people from going to Cambodia's profitable casinos, but it seemed that all tourists would be affected by these restrictions.

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

Cambodia has responded to the border dispute by boycotting some Thai internet services and blocking electricity and fuel supplies from Thailand. This action is significant because, before the boycott, Cambodia imported 30% of its gasoline and other fuel from Thailand.

On Monday, Paetongtarn stated that Thailand is thinking about stopping exports that might help scam operations in Cambodia. They also plan to work with other countries and international groups to fight cybercrime coming from Southeast Asia.

Earlier this year, Thailand took strong action to stop online scam operations in neighboring Myanmar. They did this by cutting off electricity, internet, and gas to the border towns where these scams were located.

A recent UN report stated that Cambodia is a central place for scam operations, where people are forced to trick victims online using fake romantic relationships, false investment offers, and illegal gambling websites.

Paetongtarn has received a lot of criticism because people think she is too soft on 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 Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, who was Cambodia's prime minister for more than forty years, caused a lot of public anger and led to calls for Paetongtarn's resignation.

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