Bangkok: The Army emphasizes that Cambodia intends to create problems for its own benefit. Closely monitoring the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border after yesterday’s explosions and gunfire were heard. The Royal Thai Army reiterated that Cambodia is intentionally creating problems for its own gain.
According to Thai News Agency, the latest update revealed that yesterday, at approximately 4:40 PM, military units in the Surin border area reported hearing an explosion at Hill 350 in the Prasat Ta Kwai area of Surin Province. Additionally, five or six small-arms shots were heard in the “Jub Ang Kui” area. Initial reports suggest a provocation by Cambodia, but the situation has since returned to normal. The Royal Thai Army’s Facebook page later posted that there was no clash and the explosion was due to Cambodia stepping on a landmine. However, further investigation is underway, and military units in the area are warning the public not to panic.
In a related development, the Royal Thai Army addressed Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet’s post regarding the demarcation of the Thai-Cambodian border in Sa Kaeo Province. It was found that the Thai side made inaccurate claims and responded to the Thai side’s clarifications, which could lead to public confusion.
Army spokesman Major General Winthai Suvari clarified that the information disclosed by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet contained some facts and others were unilateral claims that implicated Thailand. For example, the inclusion of the MOU agreement required reviewing Cambodia’s compliance with the agreement. Over the past 20 years, Cambodia has been the one to alter the condition of the land, encroaching upon Thai territory, even though this area does not have overlapping claims. Thailand has protested over 500 times without redress. Examples include the Chong Bok area in Ubon Ratchathani Province, where a military ditch was dug, and the community area in Sa Kaeo Province, which the Cambodian Prime Minister clearly avoided mentioning.
It was confirmed that all 74 boundary markers along the border have been surveyed and recorded by the joint boundary survey committee of both countries, and documents clearly document both agreed-upon and disagreed boundary markers. Regarding areas of disagreement, the MOU agreed that no changes to the land conditions would be made. It is therefore incorrect to assert that Thailand drew the border itself. Most importantly, the disputed areas of Ban Nong Ya Kaeo and Ban Nong Chan are clearly within Thai territory and are not areas with overlapping claims by either side. The border dispute, as the Cambodian Prime Minister attempted to convey, did not originate from the people of either country, but rather through a long-standing neglect to resolve the issue.
Thailand reiterates its commitment to finding a peaceful solution to the border dispute with Cambodia, in accordance with international principles and international law, and respecting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of its neighboring countries. Therefore, it calls on neighboring countries to fully respect Thailand’s sovereignty and territorial integrity as well.