Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement today, challenging Thailand’s allegation that Cambodian villagers have encroached on Thai territory in Ban Nong Ya Kaew in Khok Soong district of Sa Kaeo province.
It also calls on Thailand to resolve the pending border conflict through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC).
In the statement, the Cambodian Foreign Ministry said Thailand cannot claim sovereignty over the land in question, noting that it has not been formally demarcated by the two countries and that Cambodian people have been settled on the land for a long time, even before the signing of the MOU 43 in 2000.
It claimed that, under MOU 43, the two countries are to maintain the status of the land, which is called ‘Prey Chan’ in Cambodian and ‘Ban Nong Ya Kaeo’ in Thai, until border demarcation is completed.
The Cambodian settlers have the right to defy Thai authorities, regarding the erection of border fence which, according to the statement, has trespassed onto their property.
Cambodia reminded Thailand that the technical teams of the two countries have agreed on the location of border marker 43, but are yet to agree on border marker 42, which covers Prey Chan village of Ban Nong Ya Kaew village.
It also accuses Thailand of distorting the facts about the territory in Prey Chan village, by publishing the map showing the border demarcation line from border markers 43 to 42.
Additionally, Cambodia is calling on Thailand to comply with the terms of the ceasefire agreement and stop its plan to evict Cambodian settlers from Prey Chan of Ban Nong Ya Kaew village.
