Thailand equips 10 water cannon vehicles in readiness for crowd management at Ban Nong Ya Kaew protest scene
In response to ongoing protests by Cambodian nationals at Ban Nong Ya Kaew, Sa Kaeo province, the Royal Thai Police (RTP) have instructed the Protection and Crowd Control Division (PCCD) to prepare for crowd control operations.
The PCCD has equipped 10 water cannon trucks for potential mobilization, ready to be deployed at a moment's notice. These trucks, previously used to disperse Ratsadon pro-democracy protesters in October 2020, are now being readied for action once again.
The water cannon trucks are designed to make protesters easier to identify, as they can incorporate colourants into the water. The water used in these operations is difficult to wash off, making it a potent tool for crowd control.
The trucks are also fitted with bulletproof wheels, a metal cage on the front to clear obstacles, and surveillance cameras around the vehicle to record events for future legal use. In addition to water cannon, the crowd control vehicles are equipped with Long Range Acoustic Devices (LRADs) for crowd management.
In a bid to disperse the crowd, the trucks are also equipped with tear gas dispensers and fire-retardant foam systems. The water cannon trucks prepared by the PCCD have a 12,000-litre capacity and can shoot water up to 65 metres.
On Wednesday afternoon, a group of Cambodian protesters attempted to tear down barbed wire fences and confront Thai border forces. The Thai police used these water cannon trucks, along with tear gas and rubber bullets, to disperse the crowd, resulting in several injuries to Thai officers and four injuries among the protesters.
The Thai government has deployed soldiers to maintain order at multiple protest sites along the Sa Kaeo border and has closed all border crossings in the province under military authority, permitting only humanitarian and essential trade movements. Stricter security measures have been enforced following a ceasefire agreement, and the Thai government demands that Cambodia stop actions escalating the conflict.
Similar tactics were used in late 2013 during clashes with the People's Democratic Reform Committee (PDRC) protesters. These incidents at Ban Nong Ya Kaew involve confrontations between Thai border forces and Cambodian protesters, highlighting the ongoing tension between the two nations.
