BANGKOK, THAILAND – Thailand’s navy leadership said the Gulf of Thailand had not been closed to international shipping, countering reports of a shutdown of key sea routes.
Admiral rejects reports of Gulf shutdown
Admiral Thadavuth Thadpithakkul, chief of the navy staff and secretary-general of the Thai-MECC, addressed reporters ahead of a National Security Council meeting. His message aimed to calm speculation about restrictions in the busy waterway.
“I hereby assure you that we have not closed the Gulf of Thailand, as previously reported,”
said Thadavuth, explaining that only measures for safety and efficient operations had been put in place.
Ban targets only Thai vessels in Cambodian waters
Officials clarified that the only concrete prohibition applied solely to Thai ships, which were temporarily barred from entering Cambodian territorial waters. The areas were currently deemed “dangerous for Thai boats,” with recent heavy clashes along the land border and reports of weapons trafficking by sea forming the backdrop. The restriction focused on specific risk zones rather than the wider Gulf.
Smuggling prevention at the core of new measures
According to the admiral, the primary goal of the move was to curb smuggling. It was intended to stop Thai vessels from transporting fuel or weapons to Cambodia that could potentially be used against Thailand. Thadavuth acknowledged that related reports had not yet been verified and declined to go into further detail before the National Security Council session.
Global trade routes remain open
For international shipping, the clarification was critical. Foreign cargo ships and cruise liners were able to continue using major routes in the Gulf of Thailand as usual. The Thai-MECC, acting as central command authority, sought only to tighten control over national vessels, not to disrupt global trade, while keeping the situation under close review.
NSC approval sought for tougher crackdown
Within the National Security Council, the admiral requested formal approval to further toughen anti-smuggling measures. The duration of the ban on Thai ships remained uncertain.
“I cannot say that yet. It depends on the situation,”
said the navy chief, noting that developments along the contested border would determine how long the restrictive sea policy stayed in place.
Signal of firmness without broader escalation
The Thai government used the targeted steps to signal firmness and control in response to perceived security threats. Its focus was clearly on national defence and preventing support for its neighbour. For now, the conflict and its maritime implications remained a bilateral issue rather than an international crisis.