Cambodia Breaches Thai Borders, Infringes on MOU 43 at Seventeen Points in Trat
In a recent development, the National Security Council (NSC) of Thailand has declined to approve a proposed border crossing between Ban Thasen in Thailand and Thmor Da in Veal Veng district, Pursat province, Cambodia. The reason behind this decision is the construction of a second casino building and military barracks by Cambodia, which encroaches into Thai territory.
The encroachments are not limited to this area, as Cambodia has been found to have encroached on 17 points along the Thai-Cambodian border. These encroachments are spread across various subdistricts, including Chamrak, Laem Klat, Mai Rut, Khlong Yai, and Hat Lek, in Trat province.
Despite the existence of these encroachments for decades, they are less extensive compared to those at Ban Nong Chan in Sa Kaeo province. The Thai government has refused to open a permanent border crossing between Ban Thasen and Thmor Da, overriding other interests.
The Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defence Command (CTBDC) has expressed appreciation for media reports about Cambodian incursions into Thai sovereign territory in Trat province. The CTBDC has also provided briefings and explanations regarding recurring problems after a proposal to open a permanent border crossing.
The CTBDC has clarified that three specific areas in question fall within Thailand's claimed territory according to a 1:50,000 scale map. These areas include a trench line of Cambodia's Reconnaissance Company 1, Battalion 501, which intrudes around 30 metres into Thai-claimed territory. Another encroachment point is a Cambodian Border Police Company 825 building that extends about 15 metres into Thai-claimed land. A trench line in a rubber plantation, with approximately 125 metres of the plantation area, also extends into Thailand's claimed territory.
Capt Phuris Wongphensri, commander of the Trat Marine Task Force, has confirmed the existence of three encroachment points in Chamrak subdistrict, Mueang district, Trat province. In all three cases, Cambodian personnel have been pushed back, and no opposing forces remain in the disputed areas.
The Cambodian government, however, has rejected a proposal by Thai business groups to fund the demolition of the structures in question. The NSC's decision not to approve the border crossing was despite efforts by the Trat private sector and local politicians, who had already invested more than 50 million baht in a four-lane road to connect with Cambodia's road network.
The CTBDC is taking measures in line with existing bilateral agreements and continues to closely monitor the situation to ensure compliance. Despite repeated protests from the Thai military demanding that Cambodian forces withdraw, these appeals have not received an adequate response.
The border between Trat province and Cambodia includes four subdistricts in Mueang district (Tha Kum, Takang, Chamrak, and Laem Klat) and three subdistricts in Khlong Yai district (Mai Rut, Khlong Yai, and Hat Lek). The CTBDC has expressed its commitment to resolving this issue and maintaining peace and stability along the border.
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