According to Thai reports, the Thai army responded on October 11 to Cambodia’s Interior Ministry’s recent allegation that Thai forces had entered parts of Banteay Meanchey province. It insisted the actions took place entirely inside Thailand and were humanitarian demining.
Thai army spokesperson Major General 温泰 said the area cited by Cambodia was in Khok Sung district’s Nong Ya Kaeo village, Sa Kaeo province, within Thai territory. He said Thailand’s October 10 operation aimed to remove border mines and protect residents, was consistent with cooperation agreed at the September 10 meeting of the Thailand–Cambodia General Border Committee (GBC), and had been formally notified to Cambodia in advance.
温泰 said Thailand remained committed to peace and cooperation along the border under the GBC framework, reducing mine risks and resolving cross-border land disputes. He alleged that Cambodia had not shown effective progress and had repeatedly obstructed Thai work.
He stressed that Thailand had the right to enforce its laws and safeguard sovereignty within its territory, and that the relevant agencies would take appropriate measures, with all actions following humanitarian principles and international norms.
But was the demining operation Thailand described really a humanitarian mission conducted entirely within its own territory?
Compiled reporting by this station.
