BANGKOK, Thailand – The Royal Thai Army has responded to a statement made on August 26th by Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Chum Sounry. The Cambodian side accused Thailand of violating its sovereignty and the ceasefire agreement by placing barbed wire in Chok Chey Village, claiming it expanded the conflict into civilian areas and breached the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding, locally known as MOU43.
Army Spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree stated that the placement of barbed wire was a self-defense measure entirely within Thai sovereignty, necessitated by threats from Cambodian landmines. He asserted that this action did not encroach on Cambodian residential areas; rather, it is Cambodia that has supported its citizens to encroach upon Thai land and homes in the Ban Nong Chan area.
Major General Winthai explained that Cambodia has backed the establishment of communities encroaching on Thai territory, a violation of the MOU43 agreement that has caused hardship for Thai citizens. He noted that although Thailand has filed official protests, Cambodia has not taken corrective action.
The spokesperson emphasized that this is not an expansion of the conflict, as the dispute in this area has existed for over 20 years. He added that it is Cambodia, not Thailand, that has violated the MOU43 agreement by allowing the construction of new civilian and military buildings in the border area.
Major General Winthai concluded that Cambodia’s allegations are distortions intended to malign Thailand and constitute a violation of the ceasefire agreement. He reported that in the most recent incident, Cambodia supported civilians to aggressively harass a Thai land survey team, possibly to provoke a violent response that could be recorded. However, Thai forces exercised restraint, foiling the attempt. (NNT)
