The Thai Marine Corps, based near the border with Cambodia in the Muang district of the eastern province of Trat, is waiting for an order from their commander to reclaim a small area in Chamrak sub-district from Cambodian troops.
According to Thai Marine sources, Cambodian troops have dismantled three houses, which they used to occupy, but have refused withdraw from the area, claiming that they have to wait for an instruction form their superior and that the border line must be demarcated by both sides first.
Commander of the Thai Marine unit reportedly claimed that the land in question has been encroached upon by the Cambodians for about 40 years, but now Thailand wants it back.
He also said that Thailand has sent protest notes to Cambodia on numerous occasions, asking the Cambodian troops to move out, but to no avail, adding the Thai Marines will not let the Cambodians control the situation and will use all possible means to drive them out of the territory claimed by Thailand.
