The Thai Army’s Burapha Task Force ordered its men to withdraw an armored excavator from Ban Nong Chan in Khok Sung district of Sa Kaeo province today, after Cambodian officials encouraged their people to gather near the border fence to protest against alleged encroachment onto Cambodian territory by Thai forces.
A senior officer of the task force said that the removal of the excavator, which was used to dismantle Cambodian-built houses located on Thai soil, was intended to avoid direct confrontation with Cambodian civilians.
The officer also noted that today is a religious day for both Thai and Cambodian Buddhists, which made it easy for Cambodian officials to mobilise people to rally against the Thai Army.
Nonetheless Thai security forces remain deployed at Ban Nong Chan to maintain peace and order.
Ban Nong Chan and Ban Nong Ya Kaew in Khok Sung district have emerged as flashpoints in the ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. The Thai army has been building a border fence in the two villages, unilaterally carrying out mine clearance along the border and dismantling Cambodian houses.
