Fresh claims that Thai soldiers destroyed homes, installed barricades, in Banteay Meanchey

Fresh claims that Thai soldiers destroyed homes, installed barricades, in Banteay Meanchey

Cambodia has once again demanded that Thailand immediately halt all actions which violate the ceasefire, such as the laying of new barbed wire at the border, which infringes on Cambodia’s sovereignty. The latest Thai provocations reportedly occurred in Banteay Meanchey province.

Maly Socheata, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defence, told an August 13 afternoon press conference that Thai para-military and border police laid barbed wire and placed car tires barricades in Chok Chey village, O’Beichak commune, O’Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province on August 12 and 13.

“Cambodia demands that Thailand immediately and unconditionally stop all activities which violate the ceasefire and the spirit of the agreement reached during the extraordinary meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC), particularly points 2 and 4, which stipulate that both sides maintain their military forces at their current positions without moving beyond the locations they occupied when the ceasefire agreement took effect at midnight on July 28,” she said.

She added that neither side should mobilise troops or engage in any provocative actions, whether on land or in the air.

On the morning of August 13, residents in Banteay Meanchey reported that their homes had been surrounded by barbed wire erected by Thai soldiers. They noted that they had lived in these homes for over 20 years. Residents said that approximately 100 Thai soldiers, accompanied by drones, installed the barricades, and Cambodian soldiers were unable to stop them.

They also reported that Thai soldiers demolished four houses belonging to Cambodian residents of the village and had taken control of a Cambodian border post.

The reports of Thai soldiers installing barbed wire align with a call from Boonsin Padklang, commander of Thailand’s Second Army Region. He urged Thai citizens to donate barbed wire for use at the border, an appeal which evidently left acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai frustrated. The interim PM requested that Boonsin make a formal request to the government.