Ubon Ratchathani: The Royal Thai Army is preparing to issue a statement prohibiting Cambodian soldiers from using the Hill 745 area. The Army is poised to issue a statement concerning the Chong Bok clash area, disallowing Cambodian military presence from Hill 745 - Ton Sattaban to the Lao intersection, while also discussing the establishment of a joint patrol unit.
According to Thai News Agency, reports have surfaced about General Pana Klaewplodthuk, the Army Commander, attending a buffalo redemption ceremony this morning on the occasion of the Queen's birthday on June 3. On this day, the Royal Thai Army is set to release an official statement in both Thai and English. This follows General Pana's discussions with General Mao Sophan, Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Army, and the Cambodian delegation regarding the situation at the border area in Chong Bok, Ubon Ratchathani Province. The discussions resulted in three key conclusions.
Firstly, the Royal Thai Army and Cambodia have agreed to engage the Joint Boundary Committee (JBC), a government-level mechanism, to urgently resolve the conflict at Chong Bok. The outcomes of the JBC meeting are anticipated within the next two weeks.
Secondly, forces from both sides that previously clashed have withdrawn from the area, reducing tensions significantly.
Lastly, both parties have agreed to utilize the Regional Border Committee (RBC) mechanism to address any remaining issues and further enhance the effectiveness of the JBC mechanism.
For implementation, efforts will be taken to prevent Cambodian soldiers from occupying the Hill 745 area in Chong Bok, where previous confrontations led to negotiations and a subsequent retreat of Cambodian troops. Currently, both Thai and Cambodian soldiers are conducting joint patrols.
In the second area of conflict, where Cambodian soldiers had previously constructed a culvert from the Sattaban tree to the Lao intersection over a distance of 650 meters, discussions are underway to potentially establish a joint patrol without weapons.