Cambodia to stop importing electricity and internet from Thailand
Cambodia recently announced that it will cease importing electricity and internet from Thailand, confirming that Phnom Penh now has sufficient electricity and internet capacity to meet the needs of the country’s population.
This announcement followed the implementation of control measures by the Royal Thai Army at Thai-Cambodian border crossings, which came in response to tensions in the Chong Bok area of Ubon Ratchathani province on May 28.
Thailand’s measures, which range from moderate to severe in accordance with international standards, include the final step of cutting off electricity and internet supplies to Cambodia.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a Facebook post on Thursday that there has been widespread information circulating on social media regarding threats from certain extremist groups in Thailand to cut electricity and internet supplies to Cambodia.
He noted that this decision was made to avoid confusion or difficulties for the Thai authorities in deciding whether or not to sever supplies, and if so, when to do so.
Hun Manet explained that Chea Vandeth, Minister of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications, had informed him that all optical fibre network companies and internet service providers in Cambodia will cease purchasing internet bandwidth from Thailand, effective from midnight on Friday.
The Cambodian Premier confirmed that the country now has the capacity to supply sufficient internet services independently. He also noted that Keo Ratanak, Minister of Mines and Energy, had confirmed Cambodia's ability to supply electricity within the country independently.
Hun Manet has instructed Cambodian ministries and institutions to assess and prepare contingency plans to implement further measures should there be any threats or disruptions to services from Thailand.
