Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has rejected Cambodia’s accusation that recent Thai activities near the border violate a 2000 Memorandum of Understanding between the two countries.
According to Thai Enquirer, the Special Operations Command for Thai-Cambodian Border Affairs stated that recent earthworks conducted by Thai authorities were carried out entirely within Thai sovereign territory and did not contravene the 2000 MoU.
Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura was quoted as saying that the land development activities in question occurred solely on Thai soil. He added that Thailand continues to uphold the terms of the agreement and remains committed to resolving border issues peacefully and bilaterally in accordance with international law.
Thailand is also set to host a special meeting of the Joint Boundary Commission in September aimed at addressing outstanding issues with Cambodia.
The response comes after Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence released a statement on June 17 expressing regret over what it described as Thailand’s failure to respect and implement the 2000 MoU.
The Cambodian statement accused Thai forces of a series of violations, including the use of drones, construction of military bunkers, deployment of weapons and infrastructure along the border areas of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces. Cambodian authorities described these activities as a serious threat to peace between the two countries.
In a separate development reported by The Nation on Wednesday, the commander of the Thai Royal Marine Corps in Trat Province, Paris Wongpensri, confirmed the deployment of Thai troops and military equipment along the provincial border in what he called a precautionary measure to ensure security.
General Wongpensri said Thai naval forces had been stationed in the area following reports that Cambodian troops had fired into the sky near the border in Trat Province on Tuesday evening and early Wednesday morning.
He added that while it was not yet clear which Cambodian unit was responsible for the gunfire, it was confirmed that shots had been fired at unmanned aerial vehicles. The origin of the drones, however, has not been verified.
