SA KAEO, Thailand – Thailand is preparing to take a harder line after repeated incidents of Cambodian authorities dismantling barbed wire fencing along the border. Officials say if today’s meeting between the governors of Sa Kaeo (Thailand) and Banteay Meanchey (Cambodia) fails to stop the removals, stronger action will follow — including the possible deployment of riot police.
On September 17, a security source revealed that Thailand has consistently pressed Cambodia to withdraw from disputed areas along the border, including 17 intrusion points in Trat Province. The most visible flashpoint is in Sa Kaeo Province, where Cambodian authorities were seen dismantling Thai-installed barbed wire fences in Ban Nong Ya Kaeo and Ban Nong Chan.
The source said today’s meeting between the Sa Kaeo governor and the Banteay Meanchey governor will be decisive. If Cambodia continues to tear down the fences, Thailand will escalate with crowd-control police operations in line with standard procedures.
Thailand insists that all its actions can be fully explained to international organizations, underscoring its legal basis. As for the next General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on October 10, officials confirmed that no new topics will be added — only pending issues with Cambodia will be addressed.
