Thailand’s acting defense minister has warned that legal measures may be taken against Cambodian villagers who dismantled barbed wire fences set up by Thai troops in Chouk Cheay village, O’Bei Choarn commune, O’Chrov district of Banteay Meanchey province. Cambodia has described the Thai military’s actions as a breach of the ceasefire.
The Nation newspaper quoted Nattaphon Narkphanit, Thailand’s acting defense minister, as saying today that Thai forces had reinforced security in Nong Chan village in Sa Kaeo province after Cambodian protesters tried to tear down fencing erected by Thai troops.
Nattaphon Narkphanit insisted that additional barbed wire barriers were placed to prevent Cambodian civilians from crossing into Thai territory and to avoid repeated incidents. He said legal action could be pursued by the army, provincial authorities, or other relevant institutions.
Speaking at a press conference today, Cambodian defense ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said Thai military fencing operations amounted to a serious violation of the ceasefire, the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding, and the spirit of agreements reached in the recent Regional Border Committee meeting.
Maly Socheata reaffirmed that Cambodia is committed to resolving all border disputes through the Joint Border Committee in accordance with the 2000 memorandum.
Meanwhile, residents told Cambodian media that on Monday, Thai soldiers entered Chouk Cheay village to install barbed wire but were forced to retreat after strong protests from villagers. They said Thai troops attempted to lay wire again on Tuesday but were again blocked. Since Monday night, villagers have set up tents and maintained a vigil at the disputed site, vowing to continue their presence.
On August 25, political science researcher In Sophal wrote on his Facebook account, sharing a United Nations map, that the Nong Chan camp is located on Cambodian territory along the Thai border. He recalled that the site was once controlled by the Khmer People’s National Liberation Front of Son Sann, commanded at the time by Dieng Del.
In Sophal noted that in 1979, around 13,000 Cambodian refugees lived in Nong Chan camp, a figure that rose to 16,000 by 1984. He stressed that the only refugee camp officially located inside Thailand was Khao I Dang. If Thailand wanted evidence or testimony, he said, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees would be the proper source, but he argued that Thai authorities are unlikely to seek such verification as they are pursuing territorial claims over Cambodian land.
