Burapha Task Force has informed its Cambodian counterpart, the 51st Infantry Corp, that Thai troops will conduct mine clearing in the border areas of Ban Nong Chan and Ban Nong Ya Kaew in Khok Sung district of Sa Kaeo province on Friday.
In an urgent letter, dated October 8, the commander of the Burapha Task Force pointed out that the mine clearance operations are in compliance with the agreement reached at the General Border Committee’s meeting on September 10, that Thailand and Cambodia must cooperate to clear mines along the shared border for the safety of the two peoples and for the promotion of economic and social development.
The advance notification is intended to prevent any misunderstanding, said the Burapha Task Force commander, adding that he hopes for full cooperation from his Cambodian counterpart.
Ban Nong Chan and Ban Nong Ya Kaew villages have recently become flash points in the ongoing border conflict between the two countries, as Thailand’s First Army Region has started building border fences.
Thai authorities have already issued an ultimatum to illegal Cambodian settlers there to move out of Thai territory or face legal action.
Meanwhile, the Khmer Times, in its opinion piece today, criticised Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s remark that Thailand will not engage in dialogue with Cambodia until Phnom Penh “withdraws its troops, removes invaders and cleans up Thai soil.”
The language of the ultimatum is the language of coercion, not diplomacy, according to the Khmer Times, which added that the Thai prime minister was not charting a path toward peace, but was setting the stage for confrontation.
