Discover the 7 Countries That Border Thailand

Not sure where exactly Thailand is or what’s nearby? In this article, we’ll briefly discuss the seven countries that border Thailand by land and sea. Thailand currently shares its land borders with Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. It shares maritime borders with Vietnam, India, and Indonesia.

Land Border: Myanmar

Dividing Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) and Thailand, the Myanmar-Thailand border runs 1,501 miles long. The border begins at the tri-point in Laos in the north and runs southward to the Andaman Sea. The tri-point is where Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand intersect at the confluence of the Kok and Mekong Rivers.

At this point, the Myanmar-Thailand border briefly follows the Kok River, then the Sai River, and goes overland to the west through the Daen Lao Range. Then, turning southwest, the border joins the Salween River. Next, the river joins with the Moei River going southward. Eventually, the border splits from the river and goes overland through the Dawna Range and Bilauktaung Range. Eventually, the border goes southward toward the Malay Peninsula and ultimately reaches the Isthmus of Kra and Kraburi Rivers and follows these out via a wide estuary and to the Andaman Sea.

Like many regions of the world, the border between Thailand and Myanmar has seen much fighting. 1868 saw a treaty between Thailand (then Siam) and Myanmar (called Burma at the time), but confusion about the location of the border ensued but ground demarcation commenced from 1889 to 1892. The border has changed since but the above description provides the current boundary line locale.

As of 2019, six permanent border crossings, one temporary crossing, and thirteen checkpoints allowed visitors and trade to proceed between the two nations. Many are restricted to locals only, meaning foreign visitors must choose their crossings carefully.

Land Border: Laos

Stretching 1,146 miles through the tri-point with Myanmar and Cambodia, the Laos-Thailand border follows much of the natural line of the Mekong River. The border begins at the tri-point with Myanmar at the Kok and Mekong river confluence and heads southeast. Diving through various hill ridges and down the Hueang River, it then follows the Mekong most of the distance. Near Paske, the border leaves the river and follows the ridge of the Dângrêk Mountains to its end.

Since the 1860s, when France established a presence in the area, many disputes have arisen along the border. In the early 1900s, Thailand was forced by the French to cede west of the Mekong during the Franco-Siamese War. More land was ceded, until finally in the treaty of 1904, and then in 1907, treaties were made. As the tumultuous claims of the area continued, peace along the borders didn’t arise until 1953 when Laos gained complete independence.

Today, 20 permanent border crossings exist, with 29 checkpoints for border trade.

Land Border: Cambodia

The Cambodia-Thailand border runs 508 miles from the tri-point in Laos in the northeast to the Gulf of Thailand in the south. Starting at Preah Chambot peak in the Dângrêk Mountains, following the crest westward, the border turns southward in a broad arc, using rivers to help its natural borders, and proceeds partly along the Cardamom Mountains. It ends at the Gulf, creating a long, thin strip of Thai territory.

There have been disputes, of course, as there are along nearly every border in the world. The boundary area has historically shifted back and forth between the Thai and Khmer empires over the years. More recent disputes have occurred, since the 1860s when outside nations, such as France, have interjected and interfered. Various attempts at finalizing the borders and reducing disputes have been made, ultimately landing the border as it is today between 1867 and 1907 through treaties made between France and then-Siam (Thailand).

Today, seven permanent border crossings between the two nations exist, with one temporary crossing, and nine checkpoints.

Land Border: Malaysia

Running 370 miles across the Malay Peninsula, the Malaysia-Thailand border divides the country on land. By sea, the maritime borders lie within the Straits of Malacca and the Gulf of Thailand/South China Sea. For the easternmost land boundary, the Golok River creates a natural line of 59 miles.

The border has been in place since 1909 when a treaty was struck between the two countries. At that time, Thailand was known as Siam. (So, if you’ve wondered where the musical The King and I was set, now you know!) The treaty started not between Malaysia and Siam, but rather between Siam and Great Britain. At the time, Great Britain exerted influence over the northern Malay states of Perlis, Terengganu, Kelantan, and Kedah, formerly under Siamese rule.

Today, four Malaysian states exist (Perlis, Kedah, Perak, and Kelantan) and four Thai provinces (Satun, Songkhla, Tala, and Narathiwat) along the borders between the two nations.

The maritime border treaties were struck in 1971 and 1979. During the 1970s, the two nations constructed walls between them. These went up between Perlis and Satun, Perlis and Songkhla, and Kedah and Songkhla. The hope for the walls was to curb smuggling between to the two nations, via concrete, steel, iron, and barbed wire. Between the two fences lay a no man’s land about 30 feet wide. The strip of land between actually wound up becoming a haven for smugglers to meet up with runners.

Finally, in 2001, the two countries opted for a single wall to help curb smuggling better. The wall lies just inside Thai territory.

Two stretches of the Malaysia-Thailand border are subject to dispute, though neither has resulted in aggression.

A total of nine permanent border crossings between Thailand and Malaysia exist.

Maritime Borders: Vietnam, India, and Indonesia

Many border disputes have occurred between Thailand and its maritime border countries. Agreements have been reached at various points (the most stable being with India). Others have not gone so smoothly. Various raids and attacks have occurred, making the traverse between Thailand and maritime border countries less than ideal for travelers. These seem to be in flux regularly, so doing land crossings from Thailand into other nations seems the best way to go for safety.