Thread: Cambodia claims sergeant killed in border clash with Thai troops

Border tensions ease as Cambodia pulls back troops from disputed area

Cambodia has agreed to pull back its troops from a disputed border area to their previous positions and has filled in trenches dug near Chong Bok Pass, as requested by the Thai side, in an effort to ease tensions and prevent further clashes.


Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra wrote on her Facebook page that she had held talks with the Cambodian government and reached a positive outcome.


“Both countries agreed to jointly readjust military positions at points of past confrontation in order to reduce tension,” she wrote.


Paetongtarn also stated that the two countries would push forward bilateral cooperation through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), which is scheduled to meet on June 14 in Phnom Penh to help de-escalate tensions.


Dialogue will continue at all levels with the aim of restoring normal relations as soon as possible.


Thai and Cambodian troops exchanged brief gunfire in the early morning of May 28 in a disputed area near Ubon Ratchathani’s Nam Yuen district.


Initially, both sides reported no casualties, but later that afternoon, Cambodia claimed that one of its sergeants had died in the clash.


Tensions escalated further after Phnom Penh rejected Thailand's proposal to withdraw troops 200 meters from the disputed zone. Cambodia also announced it would bring four disputed border areas to the World Court.


Earlier reports indicated that Thai troops had withdrawn from the disputed area, while the Cambodian army declined to do the same.


In response to the rejection and rising tensions, Thai border checkpoints have adjusted their opening and closing times, resulting in some disruptions.


The Thai premier said the decision to ease tensions follows continued coordination between Thai government agencies, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, national security bodies, and the military.


She assured the public that there would be no serious clashes and urged people to remain calm and confident in the government’s ability to resolve the issue peacefully.


Meanwhile, Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said in a statement that Cambodia had agreed to pull back its troops to the positions held last year, in line with earlier agreements.


The Cambodian side also agreed to backfill the trenches they had dug near Chong Bok Pass in Ubon Ratchathani.


The Defence Ministry and the Royal Thai Army expressed their appreciation to their Cambodian counterparts, saying the move had improved the situation and reduced tensions and the risk of further confrontation.

Border tensions ease as Cambodia pulls back troops from disputed area

Cambodian forces withdrawn following Thai power cut pressure

The Cambodian government has agreed to pull its troops back from the disputed zone in Ubon Ratchathani’s Nam Yuen district, possibly out of fear that Thailand would suspend electricity supplies to Cambodian border towns.


A military source, involved in the negotiations with the Cambodian side, said that on June 8 a senior Cambodian officer inquired whether reports that Thailand would cut electricity along the Thai-Cambodian border were true.


“The Thai army confirmed to them that it was true, but emphasised that the measure would be one of last resort if negotiations fail,” the source said.


Following this, Cambodian Deputy Army Chief Lt Gen Srey Doek requested a meeting with the Thai army through Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the 2nd Army Region.


Maj Gen Somphob Pharawet, commander of the Suranaree Task Force was assigned to meet with Srey Doek, which led to the troop withdrawal.
The decision was confirmed later that evening.


Not only did they move back to the position they occupied last year, but they also refilled the trenches they had dug in the disputed area.


Phnom Penh has characterised the move as a “repositioning and adjustment of its forces”, rather than a pullback or retreat.


Meanwhile Cambodia’s National Defence Ministry issued a statement today affirming that Cambodia has not withdrawn any troops from its sovereign territory.


It highlighted Cambodian troops have not been withdrawn from any area under Cambodia’s sovereignty, especially from positions that they have long-standing occupied.


Border tensions between the neighbouring countries began following a fatal clash on May 28, between troops in the disputed area, to which both sides claim ownership.


Prior to the clash, Cambodian troops had dug long trenches in the area, ignoring Thai protests that the move violated the existing Memorandum of Understanding.


After the clash, Thai forces retreated, but the Cambodian side refused to do so, prompting the Thai army to introduce new restrictions, including altering the opening and closing times of border checkpoints and restricting the movements of vehicles and people across the border.


The 2nd Army Region has issued a statement, saying it is considering suspension of the electricity supplies to nine areas in Cambodia as a last resort.

Cambodian forces withdrawn following Thai power cut pressure