The Thai army has warned Cambodia that it may review its plan to release 18 Cambodian prisoners, held in Thai custody since July, following alleged Cambodian drone violations of Thai airspace in Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, and Buri Ram provinces.
Army spokesman Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree said today that on Sunday night the Second Army Region reported that more than 250 Cambodian drones were detected in Thai airspace over Chong Bok, Chong Anh Ma, Khao Satta Som, Cham Tae, Don Tarn, Chong Krang, Prasat Ta Muen Thom, and Chong Sai Ta Ku.
He said that the intrusion into Thai airspace by Cambodian drones constitutes a provocation and a violation of the agreement to de-escalate border tensions, as stipulated in the joint statement issued at the Joint Border Committee meeting on December 27.
Such conduct indicates that Cambodia continues to provoke tensions and remains hostile toward Thailand, which may threaten
Thai security and the safety of Thai troops and civilians along the border, Maj-Gen Winthai said. He added that the Thai army may deem it necessary to reconsider the plan to release the 18 Cambodian prisoners of war.
Winthai also said that Thailand will closely monitor Cambodia’s conduct to determine whether it is strictly complying with the 72-hour truce agreement, which is due to expire at noon tomorrow.
Thai troops remain deployed in regained territories and will continue to maintain security there while complying with the truce agreement, the army spokesman said.
He insisted that the Thai army seeks a peaceful settlement and places importance on de-escalating border tensions through existing mechanisms, while taking “necessary action” to respond to provocative acts in defence of Thai sovereignty and national interests.
Meanwhile, Cambodia’s State Secretariat of Border Affairs (SSBA) issued a press statement today informing the Cambodian public that the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) of Cambodia has sent a diplomatic note to its Thai counterpart proposing a JBC meeting during the first week of January.
The proposed meeting would discuss and continue surveys and border demarcation in areas from KM 42 to KM 47 and from KM 33 to KM 37 along border markers in Sa Kaeo province.
The SSBA reaffirmed to the Cambodian public that it upholds its position on safeguarding the Cambodia–Thailand international boundary, as inherited from the Commissions of Delimitation of the Boundary between Indochina and Siam, in full respect of international law and the principle of the intangibility of frontiers.
It also emphasized adherence to the Franco-Siamese conventions and treaties, the maps of the Commission of the Abornement of the Boundary between Indochina and Siam, as well as all relevant agreements and documents mutually agreed upon by both parties.
