Cambodia has closed its border crossing with Thailand to disrupt produce transport amid a bitter territorial dispute.

Cambodian authorities closed the Ban Laem checkpoint without prior notice, stranding on the Thai side more than 100 trucks carrying fruit and vegetables in Chanthaburi, on Friday, June 13.

Footage shows traffic chaos after soldiers abruptly blocked entry at the border gateway with their neighbor, which was formerly part of the vast Khmer Empire.

Rattawit Tangkiatpachara, president of the Thailand-Cambodia Border Trade and Tourism Association in Chanthaburi, said he was shocked by the sudden checkpoint closure.

He said: 'If the checkpoint was closed to prevent goods from being transported to Cambodia, Thai farmers would suffer in terms of transporting fruits and distributing produce within the country, as well as falling fruit prices.

'The dispute should be settled between both governments instead of directly involving the commercial sectors.'

Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have intensified following a deadly clash between their troops in a disputed area of Ubon Ratchathani, on May 28.

The skirmish killed a Cambodian sergeant. Thailand said it was committed to resolving the dispute conflict through bilateral means, while Cambodia has vowed to bring the case before the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

Thailand and Cambodia have a fractious history. The Khmer Empire once stretched across much of Southeast Asia before the ancient leaders moved their base south to Phnom Penh in the 16th century amid water shortages.

Thai tribes used it as a chance to encroach and claim much of the deserted land, including priceless sandstone temples and artefacts.

In the 1970s, Thailand supported the Khmer Rouge while they carried out one of the world's worst ever genocides. The country then provided sanctuary for the group's murderous leaders, even allegedly stealing aid funds that were intended to rebuild Cambodia.