Banteay Meanchey governor Oum Reatrey replied to Thailand’s Sa Kaeo administration that the disputed site was in Chok Chey village, O Bei Choan commune, Ou Chrov district, Banteay Meanchey, where Cambodian residents had lived, occupied and used land long before the 2000 MOU took effect. The letter responded to Sa Kaeo’s protest over temporary shelters, surrounding clearance and Cambodian authorities gathering residents in the area claimed by Thailand. These location and residence descriptions are the Cambodian letter’s account.
The governor said the temporary shelters were intended to maintain security and order during earlier clashes and to provide self-protection and prevent incidents. Residents gathered only to protect their land, farms and lawful property. He added thatpeople in the temporary shelters had been directly affected by Thai forces’ installation of barbed wire, black netting, barriers and tyres, losing their permanent homes and moving there for refuge. The report says this illustrates the complexity of the border issue and the need to respect previously agreed bilateral agreements and principles.
He stressed that neither provincial administration had authority to determine boundaries in areas where demarcation was incomplete. To ease tensions while awaiting a Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) resolution, the provinces should coordinate closely, manage the situation peacefully and stop actions widening the dispute or increasing tensions. Banteay Meanchey reaffirmed respect for bilateral agreements and the need to await the JBC meeting outcome.
Preah Sihanouk Provincial Television | By: ង៉ែត ពិសាន្ត
