Banteay Meanchey provincial governor Um Reatrey has reiterated that decisions concerning border affairs and territorial integrity fall outside the authority of provincial administrations, stressing that this applies equally to Cambodian and Thai officials.
“As far as I know, both the Thai and Cambodian constitutions clearly stipulate that decisions regarding territorial integrity and borders must be approved by the National Assembly and signed by the Head of State,” he said.
His remarks appeared to be in response to recent statements by the governor of Thailand’s Sa Kaeo Province and the Thai armed forces, who have accused Cambodia of violating Thai territory.
According to an article published in The Nation Thailand on September 3, Sa Kaeo Governor Parinya Phothisat issued an ultimatum to the Banteay Meanchey governor, demanding the immediate relocation of 170 Cambodian households which he claimed are in Ban Nong Chan and Nong Ya Kaew villages in Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo Province.
“The province has no authority to decide on border affairs and border work. The Banteay Meanchey provincial administration adheres to the principle of implementing what is agreed upon by the two countries, especially the solutions decided by the GBC and JBC, which are the correct mechanisms on border affairs in accordance with the MoU 2000, a treaty between the two countries,” said Reatrey.
He urged Sa Kaeo’s governor to manage the situation peacefully, warning against any actions that could escalate the dispute or heighten tensions along the border.
