SA KAEO – The Royal Thai Army has reiterated its stance that Ban Nong Chan in Kok Soong district, Sa Kaeo province, is undisputed Thai territory, despite ongoing claims by Cambodia. The area has been a point of contention since Thailand initially provided it as temporary shelter for Cambodian refugees fleeing conflict decades ago.

Thai Army Accuses Cambodia of Using Civilians to Encroach on Territory

Army Spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree stated that Thailand allowed Cambodian refugees to remain on humanitarian grounds after the war ended. However, he accused Cambodia of exploiting this goodwill by encouraging permanent settlement to bolster its territorial claims.

Thailand has protested Cambodia’s alleged encroachment since 2014 through diplomatic channels, but Winthai claimed Cambodia has ignored these efforts. He suggested that Cambodia’s strategy avoids direct military confrontation while positioning Thailand as the aggressor should force be used to remove settlers.

The Royal Thai Army says Ban Nong Chan, which is located near the Thai-Cambodia border in Sa Kaeo province, lies within Thai territory, despite claims to the contrary by Cambodian authorities and residents along the border.

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To counter security threats, Thailand has installed barbed-wire fencing in the area—not as a border demarcation, but to prevent Cambodian forces from infiltrating and laying landmines. Cambodian civilians have protested the fencing, insisting the land belongs to Cambodia.

Thailand Presents Evidence of Alleged Cambodian Landmine Use to International Diplomats

The dispute highlights escalating tensions, with Thailand asserting its sovereignty while Cambodia continues to challenge the boundary. The Thai military maintains that its measures are defensive, aimed at safeguarding territorial integrity amid what it calls Cambodia’s “exploitation” of past humanitarian assistance.

-Thailand News (TN)