On April 2, Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata rejected as “without factual basis” Thai accounts alleging Cambodian provocation in connection with Royal Thai Army reinforcement of barbed wire and deployment of armoured vehicles near O Smach border checkpoint. Cambodia said its forces were strictly following discipline and orders, exercising restraint while defending sovereignty and seeking to avoid escalation.
According to the Cambodian account, the ASEAN Observer Team visited the border area in Samraong city, Oddar Meanchey province, on March 29. It said that at 6:20 a.m. on April 2, Thailand moved about 70 soldiers and two armoured vehicles into the area and reinforced existing barbed-wire fencing. Cambodia claimed the area was Cambodian territory occupied by Thai forces and said no advance notification had been given to the liaison team of Cambodia’s Military Region 4.
Cambodia said it promptly contacted Thailand’s Second Army Region, demanded an end to the activities and urged compliance with existing bilateral agreements. The Defence Ministry reiterated that Cambodia had upheld understandings under the ceasefire arrangements and called on Thailand to act in good faith to restore normal border conditions and lasting peace and stability.
