Background
The General Department of Immigration (GDI) enforces border controls at international checkpoints such as Poipet in Banteay Meanchey province. On 21 August 2026, GDI ordered the removal of 44 Thai nationals, including 16 women, from Cambodia for alleged involvement in online scams, illegal residence or work, lack of travel documents, and possession or use of controlled substances.
Within Cambodia’s border management system, immigration screening at land checkpoints is a primary mechanism for detecting foreign nationals who lack valid documentation or who are linked to criminal activity identified by investigative agencies. Deportation and exit processing for foreign nationals are typically carried out through coordinated procedures between the Investigation Directorate and checkpoint authorities.
Key Developments
According to the GDI notice, the removal action followed recommendations from senior Interior Ministry leadership. The GDI’s Investigation Directorate conducted checks and implemented deportation procedures for a total of 44 Thai nationals, with officials completing exit formalities at the Poipet international border police checkpoint in Banteay Meanchey.
Institutional Role
GDI led the operational response by coordinating investigation, identification, and administrative removal processes. The Investigation Directorate was responsible for case screening and for referring cases that met deportation criteria to border checkpoint authorities for execution.
Operational Implications
The reported operation underscores use of land-border checkpoints as the point of departure for administrative removals and highlights procedural connections between investigative units and checkpoint police. Exit processing at Poipet included documentation checks and the physical transfer of persons out of the country through the border police post.
Source
Primary source: General Department of Immigration social channels and official website (linked in the original post): https://www.facebook.com/reel/823928987414344/; https://www.facebook.com/GDIOfficial/; www.immigration.gov.kh
