Cambodian civilians confronting Thai forces on Wednesday.-- Photo: Khmer Times
PHNOM PENH (Khmer Times): Violence reared its ugly head once more at the Cambodia-Thailand border as a confrontation between Cambodian civilians and Thai soldiers left at least 20 people injured.
The two neighbouring countries again traded blame and claimed themselves victims. While Thailand issued a statement to justify its actions, Cambodia accused Thailand of serious human rights violations and called for intervention from global and regional organisations and the world’s superpowers to curb Thai “aggression” before the issue further escalated.
What happened?
Videos that went viral on Wednesday showed Cambodian civilians protesting against Thai soldiers who were installing a barbed wire fence. The civilians were heard shouting that the soldiers were on Cambodian territory, while the Thai army’s loudspeakers blared threats, ordering the civilians to leave the area which they claimed belonged to Thailand.
As tensions rose, the Thai soldiers started attacking the Cambodian civilians with tear gas. Gunshots and sound cannons were also heard. Some civilians, including Buddhist monks, were seen picking up the tear gas projectiles from the Thai side and throwing them back at the soldiers.
A statement from Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence on the evening of the same day said the incident took place at 3.30pm on the Cambodian territory of Prey Chan village, O’ Bei Chorn commune, O’ Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey province.
It said a mixed force from Thailand comprising border patrol units, paramilitary personnel, black-uniformed military personnel, police, and Kok K Chong villagers tried to lay barbed wire in the location. About 300 in number, they were armed with various weapons and riot control equipment, including rubber slingshots.
“At 4.20pm on the same day, Thailand’s mixed force used long-range acoustic devices and guns shooting tear gas on Cambodian civilians and authority personnel,” said the ministry spokeswoman, Lieutenant General Maly Socheata.
“The incident occurred only several minutes after the IOT (Interim Observer Team) led by Malaysia had just left the site; it should be noted that the team began their inspection at Prey Chan village, O’ Bei Chorn commune, O’ Chrov district area at 1.57pm to inspect, verify, and report the border situation.”
Socheata added that during the confrontation, the Thai forces resorted to violence against the Cambodian civilians, using various weapons on the crowd, including slingshots loaded with ball bearings. The attack, she stressed, injured 28 Cambodians, including civilians, soldiers and Buddhist monks.
She also confirmed that at 7.22pm, the IOT led by Malaysia revisited Prey Chan village to inspect the site of the incident.
“The actions undertaken by the Thai armed forces constitute serious violations of the ceasefire and agreements previously reached in the GBC and RBC meetings,” Socheata stated.
“Furthermore, Thailand is enforcing martial law and its domestic law on Cambodian territory, which is a serious violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and international laws, including the United Nations Charter, Asean Charter, Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, and other internationally recognised legal principles.” -- Khmer Times
