Thailand reinforces claim over Ban Nong Chan territory in response to Cambodian incursion
The Ban Nong Chan border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia remains unresolved, with heightened tensions due to Cambodia's actions to remove Thai-installed barbed wire fencing. This contentious issue, as per the statement from Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, involves ongoing disputes over territorial encroachment, civilian settlement, and security measures.
Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement in support of the Royal Thai Army's comments regarding the Ban Nong Chan area in Sa Kaeo Province. The statement emphasizes that Cambodia has encroached illegally and provocatively on Thai territory at Ban Nong Chan, Sa Kaeo, and that the barbed wire fencing is a point of contention.
The barbed wire fence erected by Thailand serves as a physical security measure and a means to demarcate control during land surveys and to prevent encroachment. Its presence reflects attempts by Thailand to assert sovereignty and maintain border security in a long-disputed area. However, Cambodia contests the barrier's legitimacy and has undertaken active measures to remove it, causing ongoing tensions and risking escalation.
Thai forces have kept 24-hour watch at Ban Nong Chan, holding firm on retaining the barbed wire fence to secure the area and support land surveying teams. Despite provocations and attempts by Cambodian civilians to remove this fencing, Thai troops have exercised restraint to avoid escalation. The Thai Border Patrol Police stand ready to support military operations at the border and coordinate with the army and local police to prevent further disturbances. Legal action is planned against Cambodian villagers for alleged criminal acts of encroachment and property damage.
Cambodia has pressured Thailand to dismantle the barbed wire fence in Ban Nong Chan and has deployed civilians—including women, children, and elderly—to remove the wire, creating disturbances and provocations. Cambodian-supported civilian settlement continues on disputed land, with alleged additional construction of residential and military shelter buildings, which Thailand claims violates existing agreements.
Thailand rejects Cambodian claims that Thailand violated ceasefire agreements or the MOU 2000, labeling these as distortions aimed at maligning Thailand. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses the importance of restraint and sovereignty in the current situation. The installation of barbed wire fences within Thai territory aligns with the results of the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) Meeting on August 7, 2025, which affirmed that both countries will not enhance military infrastructure or fortifications beyond their own sides.
The original Ban Nong Chan area served as a temporary refuge for Cambodians fleeing conflict. Regarding the installation of barbed wire fences within Thai territory, Thailand's actions are aimed at protecting its sovereignty and territorial integrity. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' statement was issued on August 19, 2023, supporting previous comments from the Royal Thai Army regarding the Ban Nong Chan area.
Thailand has shown restraint for years, preferring to resolve disputes through bilateral frameworks such as the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). The Thai Army has accused Cambodia of using civilians to encroach on Thai sovereignty at Ban Nong Chan. A viral video of a concrete post is not a Thai-Cambodian border marker, as clarified by the Thai Army.
The expansion of Cambodia into Ban Nong Chan violates the MOU 2000, a mutual agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. Cambodia's attempt to exploit Thailand's tradition of providing shelter and humanitarian assistance to Cambodians is not only cynical but also reflects Cambodia's true and malicious intentions in this dispute. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stresses the importance of adhering to the MOU 2000 and maintaining peace and stability along the Thai-Cambodian border.
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