The Thai anti-riot forces used rubber bullets and tear gas today to push back scores of Cambodians who assaulted Thai soldiers at Ban Nong Ya Kaeo in the Khok Sung District of Sa Kaeo Province.
Thai forces resorted to crowd control measures at around 4.20pm, after Cambodians attacked soldiers with long sticks and stones, a hostile act that clearly violated the ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. The Cambodian villagers were eventually forced to withdraw.
The Thai army reported that, at 3.40pm, approximately 200 Cambodians had gathered to protest Thailand’s placement of barbed wire along the Thailand–Cambodia border.
Thai officials tried to explain the situation to the protesters and proceeded with the planned erection of the fencing, but the Cambodian crowd continued its protest.
Five Thai soldiers were injured during the chaos, including one who was hit in the eye by stones.
Cambodian protesters injured by tear gas were carried away by their friends, who poured water on them to minimise its effects.
At around 5pm, Thai forces were continuing to reinforce the border with additional barbed wire and tires, while controlling the protest with tear gas and rubber bullets.
The Cambodian side began retreating, but continued throwing wooden sticks, stones and shooting slingshots at Thai personnel, causing further injuries.
Earlier, Prinya Phothisat, governor of Sa Kaeo, led a team, on foot, across the Aranyaprathet border checkpoint, to submit a formal protest to the governor of Banteay Meanchey Province in Cambodia. The protest was in response to Cambodian intrusion and removal of barbed wire at Ban Nong Ya Kaeo on September 16.
Meanwhile Banteay Meanchey provincial governor Oum Reatrey confirmed on Wednesday that nearly 10 Cambodians were injured in a clash with Thai soldiers along the border in Ou Bei Choan commune, Ou Chrov district.
The Khmer Times reported that the incident took place on the afternoon of September 17, when Thai soldiers attempted to install barbed wire fences in the disputed area.
Cambodian civilians, including Buddhist monks, along with soldiers and police officers, confronted them, leading to a tense standoff.
According to the governor, the Thai soldiers responded by firing tear gas and live rounds, which caused injuries ranging from minor to serious on the Cambodian side.
Those injured included villagers, monks, and members of the Cambodian security forces.
“Some of our people suffered serious wounds, while others were only slightly hurt. They are being treated,” Oum Ratri said.
Local officials reported that the Cambodian civilians had gathered to protest the Thai soldiers’ actions, which they viewed as an encroachment on Cambodian territory. The confrontation quickly escalated into violence after the Thai side used force to disperse the crowd.
