The Thai Navy insists that its military operations against Cambodia, in the eastern province of Trat, are in self-defence and are in full compliance with international rules of engagement, after Cambodian troops re-entered Thai territory with heavy weapons.
Its spokesperson, Rear Admiral Parat Rattanachaipan, said today aerial photographs clearly show Cambodian forces establishing a new operational base inside Thai sovereign territory, near Ban Nong Ri in Chamrak sub-district, Muang district of Trat.
He said the renewed incursion occurred despite the earlier demolition of three Cambodian permanent installations and military outposts, after which Cambodian troops had withdrawn from the area.
“Cambodian forces have, however, returned and violated Thai sovereignty again, and have even increased their troop presence,” he added.
Rear Adm Parat said Thailand responded in accordance with international norms, escalating measures gradually, from coordination and warnings to negotiations at all levels, while urging Cambodia to pull its forces from Thai territory immediately.
“Despite Thailand’s restraint and continuous efforts to resolve the situation peacefully, Cambodian troops have not withdrawn. Instead, they have reinforced their positions with special operations units, snipers and multiple-rocket launchers,” he said.
He added that Cambodia has also strengthened its tactical facilities in ways that clearly infringe on Thai sovereignty, including digging trenches, installing heavy weapons and deploying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to conduct continuous surveillance over Thai military posts and surrounding areas.
“The Royal Thai Navy considers these actions a clear threat to Thailand’s sovereignty,” he said.
To protect the country’s sovereignty, national security and the safety of residents in the border area, Rear Adm Parat said that the Navy and relevant security agencies have been compelled to launch military operations to expel Cambodian troops from Thai soil, under the internationally recognised right of self-defence and applicable laws.
He stressed that Thailand remains committed to using force only when necessary and in proportion to the threat, to contain the situation and prevent further escalation.
“The Navy confirms that every step is being carried out under the close supervision of the military command centre, with the national interest as the highest priority,” Rear Adm Parat said, adding that “Thailand will not tolerate any violation of its sovereignty or any action that undermines national security.”
Yesterday Trat governor Piriya Chantadilok has ordered the relocation of people living in Muang, Bo Rai and Klong Yai districts to temporary shelters as border tensions intensify.
The Trat-Klong Yai highway has been busy with cars streaming continuously into the Muang district township as evacuees head away from the Cambodian border.
One evacuee, 65-year-old La-miad, said that she is stressed because this is the second evacuation in five months, since the first bloody fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces in late July.
The Thai army has predicted that Cambodian forces may launch rocket and artillery attacks on civilian targets in Thailand’s border provinces tonight.
People living near the border in Si Sa Ket, Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Buri Ram and Sa Kaeo provinces have already been ordered to evacuate.
