The Cambodian Joint Border Committee (JBC) has lodged a strong protest against what it described as repeated violations by the Thai military along the Cambodia–Thailand border in Banteay Meanchey province earlier this week.
An August 14 statement from the Cambodian JBC noted that on August 12, Thai troops erected barbed wire, drone nets, and tyre barriers between border posts 46 and 47 in Chok Chey village, O’Bei Chon commune, O’Chrov district.
The following day, similar installations were placed between border posts 42 and 43 in nearby Prey Chan village.
“On August 14, the Thai military attempted to carry out the same activities near the Boeung Trakuan border checkpoint in Banteay Meanrith and Thanol Raek villages, Kok Romiet commune, Thmar Puok district,” added the statement.
However, it explained, the work was halted when Cambodian civilians and security forces, as well as foreign defence attachés, arrived at the scene, prompting the Thai forces to retreat.
“The unilateral land occupation by the Thai military… is a violation of the spirit of the 2000 MoU and international law. It violates the jurisdiction of the Joint Border Committee (JBC) and undermines the results of past efforts and the negotiation process,” the committee stated.
They demanded the immediate removal of the barbed wire, nets and tyres, and called for measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring along the frontier.
