Hundreds of Cambodian villagers have gathered to protest against Thai soldiers attempting to erect fencing inside Cambodian territory in Chouk Cheay village, O’Bei Choarn commune, O’Chrov district of Banteay Meanchey province.
Local outlet SBT News broadcast live on Facebook on August 26, showing large crowds of villagers confronting Thai forces to prevent them from resuming the installation of barbed wire in the disputed area.
Video footage showed hundreds of Cambodians massing in Chouk Cheay village to block the Thai troops from laying fencing.
Thailand’s Khaosod newspaper quoted acting prime minister Pumtham Wechayachai as saying today that he has no authority to order the removal of fencing following Cambodian pressure. He said responsibility for border security rests entirely with the Thai army, and the fencing being installed was consistent with ceasefire agreements reached in Malaysia.
Responding to the situation, Cambodian defense minister Tea Seiha wrote on his Facebook page that Cambodian forces deployed at the scene were not armed, to demonstrate their commitment to upholding the ceasefire. He appealed for public understanding of the army’s restraint and urged patience in the national interest.
Tea Seiha added that discussions to resolve the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict will continue, including a special Regional Border Committee meeting between Cambodia’s Region 4 and Thailand’s Region 2 on August 27, followed by a General Border Committee meeting in Phnom Penh on September 9 and 10.
He stressed that defending the nation and its borders is not a minor issue, and no Cambodian leaders would use ordinary citizens as shields or tools to protect their own interests.
On August 26, representatives of the Interim Observer Team from five ASEAN countries, including Malaysia, Indonesia, Laos, the Philippines, and Vietnam, visited Chouk Cheay village. The delegation, led by a Malaysian military officer, inspected the area where Thai troops had reportedly surrounded and fenced off land, as well as several Cambodian households.
The previous day, on August 25 at 2:20 in the afternoon, armed Thai soldiers, equipped with long-range acoustic devices, entered Chouk Cheay village to install more fencing. The area lies directly across the border from Nong Chan village in Khok Sung district of Thailand’s Sa Kaeo province.
Residents whose land was affected, including people with disabilities, pregnant women, and mothers with small children, joined the protest to block further fencing. Villagers also tore down sections of barbed wire that Thai troops had recently put in place.
