BANGKOK, Thailand – The Royal Thai Navy has announced that Cambodian forces have withdrawn from three areas in Trat province that had been encroached upon along the Thai–Cambodian border. Rear Admiral Parach Rattanaichaiyapan, Deputy Spokesperson for the Navy, said the locations in Ban Chamrak, Chamrak Subdistrict, had been occupied by Cambodian authorities and civilians who built homes and farmed despite the land being recognized as Thai territory.
According to Rear Admiral Parach, the disputed areas fall under land covered by MOU 43, which has not yet been formally demarcated. The Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Command had repeatedly lodged protests demanding that Cambodia remove its forces and structures, but the encroachment had continued for years.
The matter was raised once again during a recent special session of the Regional Border Committee with Cambodia’s Military Region 5. Following those talks, Thai officials confirmed that Cambodian troops have now withdrawn from these encroached sites.
Although the forces have vacated the areas, Cambodia has not dismantled buildings or trenches constructed in the areas. Thai authorities said these remnants remain unresolved and require further cooperation from the Cambodian side.
Rear Admiral Parach said Thai border forces are closely monitoring the situation. He expressed confidence that continued cooperation with Cambodia will lead to the full resolution of outstanding issues, strengthening stability and mutual respect along the border. (NNT)
