Background
The General Department of Immigration (GDI) enforces border control, identity verification, and repatriation procedures at Cambodia’s international checkpoints as part of national immigration governance. Poipet international border police checkpoint in Banteay Meanchey province serves as a designated exit point for repatriation and immigration removals to Thailand.
The GDI maintains an investigative unit that coordinates with foreign counterparts on cross-border cases involving alleged criminal activity, including technology-enabled fraud. Operational decisions for removals are implemented at border control points in coordination with the Ministry of Interior and relevant law enforcement agencies.
Key Developments
On 23 June 2026, the General Department of Immigration executed an expulsion of 49 Thai nationals alleged to be involved in online scam operations. The group included 18 women and was processed for removal at the Poipet international border police checkpoint in Banteay Meanchey province.
The GDI reported that the investigative department acted in cooperation with Thai authorities to complete the repatriation. The department’s public channels (TikTok, Telegram, Facebook) and its official website provided announcements and links related to the operation.
Institutional Role
The investigative department within the GDI is responsible for identifying foreign nationals implicated in transnational criminal activity and for coordinating their removal under immigration procedures. Senior leadership in the Ministry of Interior and the GDI provide operational direction that guides cross-border cooperation and the execution of repatriation at designated checkpoints.
Operational Implications
Removals of foreign nationals alleged to be involved in online scams are executed at international border checkpoints where immigration officers complete identity checks and handover to receiving authorities. Cross-border coordination with Thai counterparts enables direct repatriation through the Poipet checkpoint without prolonged detention in Cambodia’s immigration facilities.
