The ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) based in Thailand has reported that Cambodian troops are not cooperating in mine clearance efforts and are blocking the Thai Mine Action Centre (TMAC) unit from undertaking demining operations in Chong Sai Taku border area in Ban Kruad district of Buri Ram province.
The AOT, led by Air Vice Marshal Chitphol Korkitsammana, and comprising military attachés from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines, conducted an inspection of Chong Sai Taku yesterday, to observe the mine clearance by the TMAC.
Cambodian troops stationed in the area refused, however, to let the TMAC unit to enter the off-limits zone for mine clearance, in violation of the agreement of the General Border Committee on Friday, according to the AOT report.
Meanwhile, about 200 members of a Thai nationalist group, led by Phichit Chaimongkhon, arrived in Bang Nong Chan in Khok Sung district of Sa Kaeo province, in three buses today, to offer moral support to Thai troops, police and local officials deployed to guard the border.
Phichit Chaimongkhon, leader of the network of students and people for national is in the middle with a map of Thailand shirt.
Phichit delivered a speech, saying that their visit was intended to emphasise that Ban Nong Chan is on Thai territory, adding that the group does not trust the Cambodians to comply with Thailand’s four pre-conditions, as agreed in the joint declaration signed in Malaysia during the ASEAN Summit.
Yesterday, the Cambodian Defence Ministry released numerous pictures and a report, claiming that Cambodian troops had withdrawn several 155mm artillery pieces and Type 90 multiple rocket systems from the frontlines in Oddar Meanchey province, close to the Thai border, in compliance with Phase 1 of the withdrawal of heavy weaponry, as agreed in the joint declaration, according to the a military web page.
