According to Cambodian defence insiders, credible Thai sources suggest that further attacks from Thailand are imminent. The threats coincide with an increase in Thai military chatter, since it declared the suspension of the US-brokered October 26 Peace Agreement.
Cambodia sources said Thai forces are preparing to conduct operations in Pursat province, in the Thmar Da and O’Phluk Damrey areas, with activity reportedly expected to take place on November 18.
The alert, spread by local media on the night of November 16, appeared to be correlated by recent Thai reporting on their military operations.
On November 15, Thai Navy Division 1 announced that it was ready to use naval force to preserve the nation’s sovereignty at sea. In a Facebook post, the Royal Thai Navy said that the vessels of Region 1, led by Rear Admiral Chalermchai Suan-kaew and accompanied by helicopters, conducted patrols along the Thai-Cambodian specific economic line, “not allowing foreign naval forces to invade the maritime territory of Thailand”.
“Our naval forces stand in readiness at all times to preserve the sovereignty and interests of the maritime nation against any threat,” it said.
The Royal Thai Airforce shared security alerts with the public on the same day.
“The air force asks for the cooperation of all citizens to refrain from publishing pictures and data of military operations, for the security of the nation,” it said.
Thmar Da and O’Phluk Damrey in Pursat province were shelled by Thai forces during the July 24-28 armed clashes, which began at Ta Moan Thom Temple.
Thailand recently announced that it would halt the implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Accord, as the October 26 deal is known, after a Thai soldier was seriously wounded in a landmine explosion. Thai authorities have accused Cambodia of planting new mines, an accusation that Cambodia has strongly denied.
On November 12, Thai soldiers had open fire on Cambodian civilians in Prey Chan village, Banteay Meanchey province, killing one villager and wounding three others.
