The Thai army has restated that Ban Nong Chan, in Kok Soong district of Sa Kaeo province, which is contested by Cambodia, is Thai territory which was used to house Cambodian refugees fleeing the war in the country several decades ago.
Army Spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree claimed that, after the war in Cambodia, Thailand continued to allow many Cambodians to remain in Ban Nong Chan for humanitarian reasons, but that this hospitality has been exploited by the Cambodian government, which has allegedly encouraged its citizens settle permanently so it can be claimed as belonging to Cambodia.
Winthai said that Thailand has protested against encroachment by Cambodian civilians through various channels since 2014, but to no avail. Cambodia has chosen to ignore the problem, adding that this could be a tactic to avoid direct confrontation between Cambodian and Thai forces and to support complaints to the international community if Thailand resorts to the use of force to drive the Cambodians from Ban Nong Chan.
Hence the erection of barbed-wire fencing at Ban Nong Chan, said Winthai, as he explained that the fencing is not a demarcation of the border line, but is intended to prevent Cambodian forces from sneaking in to lay landmines.
Cambodian civilians have demanded that the fence be dismantled, claiming that Ban Nong Chan belongs to Cambodia.
