Crowds Surge at Cambodia’s Poipet Border – Travelers wait to cross into Thailand amid new restrictions. PHNOM PENH – Cambodian media published images showing large crowds of Cambodians and foreign nationals gathered at the Poipet permanent border checkpoint Sunday morning, waiting to cross into Thailand following newly enforced Thai restrictions on land border crossings between the two countries. The Khmer Times website shared a photo series from Fresh News, a Cambodian online outlet, depicting the situation at the Poipet checkpoint in Banteay Meanchey province, which borders Ban Khlong Luek in Sa Kaeo province, Thailand. According to Cambodian authorities, the area was heavily congested this morning, partly due to recent changes in the opening hours of the border gate. Despite the crowding, border officials from both sides were seen cooperating and facilitating the movement of people across the checkpoint. Khmer Times reported that Thailand had unilaterally changed the border operating hours. All international checkpoints have now been set to open from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Additionally, all bilateral checkpoints that were previously in use have been closed. (TNA)