Japanese Auto Supplier Urges Cambodia to Ease Logistics Disruptions After Border Closure

PHNOM PENH, Mar. 6, 2026 (KPT) — A senior executive from Japanese automotive supplier DENSO has urged Cambodia to ease logistics disruptions and rising transport costs following the closure of border routes with Thailand.

Speaking at the Cambodia–ASEAN Business Summit in Phnom Penh, Masao Suematsu, Senior Vice President of DENSO International Asia, said the shutdown has complicated shipments of engine cooling radiators from Cambodia to Thailand, disrupting supply chains for major carmakers including Toyota, Honda and Mitsubishi Motors.

“Transporting radiators from Cambodia to Thailand has become very difficult,” Suematsu said, warning that prolonged delays could push manufacturers to source parts elsewhere, threatening Cambodia’s emerging auto industry.

He proposed partially reopening the border to allow limited truck crossings for companies with significant economic impact, and called for government support to reduce logistics costs as firms switch to sea transport, nearly twice as expensive as land routes.

Deputy Prime Minister Sun Chanthol pledged support, saying Cambodia is prioritizing automotive and electronics industries to diversify the economy and achieve its Vision 2050 goal of becoming a high-income nation.

DENSO employs 12,000 workers in Cambodia and exports components across Asia.