Interim observers have carried out an overnight inspection at the Cambodia–Thailand border following clashes between Thai troops and Cambodian villagers.
The observers, led by Malaysia under the Interim Observer Team (IOT), visited Prey Chan village in O’Bai Chorn commune, Ou Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province, at 7:22 p.m. on September 17. The team returned to the site only minutes after leaving earlier in the evening, in order to assess the situation after tensions flared again.
According to Reuters, the houses where Cambodians live are claimed by Thailand as part of Ban Ya Kaew in Sa Kaeo province, while Cambodia says the same area belongs to Prey Chan village in Banteay Meanchey. The border there has remained undefined since the French colonial era in 1907. Analysts have long warned that it is the responsibility of governments to resolve border demarcation and that civilians should never be left to confront armed soldiers.
A Cambodian government source accused Thai mixed forces of seriously violating the spirit of past ceasefire agreements and the principles set out in the General Border Committee and the Regional Border Committee. The source said applying Thai domestic law within Cambodian territory was a grave breach of Cambodian sovereignty and international law, including the UN Charter, ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and other universally recognized principles.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence said unarmed Cambodian security personnel were also present to protect civilians while upholding the ceasefire and agreed principles between the two countries. The ministry insisted that Cambodia remains committed to addressing disputes peacefully and in line with international law.
Officials in Phnom Penh reported that at least 24 Cambodians were injured during the September 17 clashes. Victims included one soldier who was shot in the eye with a rubber bullet and a monk wounded in the abdomen.
Thailand’s Ministry of Defence, in a letter to international media, claimed that more than 200 Cambodians staged a violent protest against Thai troops who were laying barbed wire along the border. The statement said Thai forces responded by using tear gas and rubber bullets after Cambodian villagers allegedly threw stones at them.
