AFTER Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen this morning (May 30) reasserted a claim that the area where Thai and Cambodian troops clashed leading to the death of a Cambodian soldier is Cambodian territory despite the two countries’ armed forces reaching an agreement yesterday, Thai Army Commander Gen. Pana Klaewplodthuk is now gearing up to issue a statement prohibiting entry to this zone, Naewna newspaper said.
This statement, in Thai and English languages, will also mention that the Thai side is considering discussing a joint patrol of the clash point at Chong Bok, Ubon Ratchathani province, with Cambodia.
Gen. Pana said three points were agreed to by the armed forces of the two countries with these being:
(1) The armies of the two countries agreed to use Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) mechanism, which is a government-level mechanism, to urgently resolve the problem. The result of JBC meeting is expected to be concluded within two weeks.
(2) Currently, the forces of both sides that previously clashed have moved out of the area, easing the tension.
(3) Both sides still agree to use the Regional Border Committee (RBC) mechanism to resolve any remaining doubts and to promote the JBC mechanism to be more complete.
As for the guidelines, Cambodian soldiers must be prevented from using slope 745, Chong Bok, the area where the Cambodian soldiers had previously dug trenches to build a base, and Thai army had negotiated for their retreat. Today, Thai and Cambodian soldiers will jointly patrol the area.
As for the second point of clash, where Cambodian soldiers had also dug trenches from Sattaban tree to Laos intersection, a distance of 650 metres, if possible, talks will be held with Cambodian soldiers for joint patrol there too.
However, Cambodia released four points to the agreement reached by the two army commanders yesterday with these being:
(1) Both sides will continue to resolve the situation through all available mechanisms, including the Joint Boundary Committee (JBC), the Cambodia-Thailand General Border Committee (GBC), and the Memorandum of Understanding on Survey and Demarcation of the Land Boundary between Thailand and Cambodia 2000 (MOU2000), so that the border of the two countries will be a border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development.
(2) Both sides will control the situation as it is, be patient, and resolve all problems through JBC, which will meet within the next two or three weeks, in order to maintain good relations between the two countries.
(3) The Cambodian side asked for respect of each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity and not to let the incident of May 28, 2025 happen again.
(4) The Cambodian side will not withdraw its forces or deploy unarmed forces at the point of the clash because the area was occupied by Cambodia before the signing of MOU2000.
The Cambodian statement said that both parties agreed and accepted all four points above, and the discussion ended at 4.15 p.m. of the same day.
CAPTIONS:
Top and Front Page: Thai Army Commander Gen. Pana Klaewplodthuk shaking hands with Cambodian Army Commander Gen. Mao Sophan during yesterday’s meeting, right, and the announcement Cambodia issued today, left. Photo: Amarin TV
Insert: Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen next to the annoucement issued today. Photo: Naewna
Also read: Thai Army Chief offers condolences over death of Cambodian soldier in Chong Bok clash
Cambodian troops seen digging trenches in overlapping area triggering brief clash
Paetongtarn: Talks held with Cambodian PM to resolve border problem
Powers-that-be dissatisfied with Paetongtarn running the country: Academic
House might be dissolved in face of govt budgeting irregularities scandal
GRC decorative panel falls from Pattaya high-rise injuring tourist
