Thai military personnel and civilians reportedly attempted to place approximately 50 shipping containers in the Thma Da area of Pursat province on February 6, but were interrupted by the arrival of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) at the site.
The placement of the containers would have mimicked their actions in the An Ses area; the aim appears to be to block the road and potentially create a new status quo on the ground. Today’s attempt was halted when the Coordination Liaison Group (CLG) led the AOT to the area.
A senior Cambodian official stated that the placement of these containers, both at Thma Da and in other areas, constitutes a violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and the ceasefire.
According to the official, who asked to remain anonymous, the Thais intended to block the road but were forced to stop.
“The placement of these containers is a violation of the ceasefire and a violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and territorial integrity,” he noted.
According to the Ministry of National Defence, Cambodia has respected and strictly implemented the December 27 ceasefire since it came into effect, as well as the October 26 Joint Statement on the Peace Agreement between Cambodia and Thailand, the December 27 Joint Declaration of the 3rd Special Meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) and other relevant agreements.
