The Sa Kaeo provincial administration issued a statement on 20/9 demanding Cambodian citizens “encroaching on border areas” claimed by Thailand leave the province by 10/10. This date coincides with the next meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) between the two countries.

Cambodian residents gather behind a tire barricade erected by Thailand in the disputed border area. Photo: *Bangkok Post*

The Banteay Meanchey provincial government of Cambodia was also asked to comply with eight proposals submitted by Thailand earlier last week. Failure to do so will result in the suspension of provincial-level talks, escalating the issue to the national border committee.

The statement warned, "Sa Kaeo province affirms its readiness to take stern legal action against any Cambodians who violate sovereignty, steal government property, or harm Thai officials and citizens,".

The statement was issued in response to a Cambodian proposal made on 17/9 during a meeting between Oum Reatrey, Governor of Cambodia's Banteay Meanchey province, and Parinya Phothisat, Governor of Thailand's Sa Kaeo province, to discuss the border situation.

Cambodia proposed maintaining the status quo in the area, in line with the July 28 ceasefire agreement and subsequent meetings of the GBC and the Regional Border Committee (RBC).

The Cambodian statement urged both sides to “refrain from escalating the dispute and await future resolutions from the Joint Border Commission (JBC) between Thailand and Cambodia”. It also demanded that Thailand allow Cambodian citizens to return to the disputed areas and remove barbed wire fences, shade nets, and tire barricades.

The Cambodian statement further asserted, "Thailand should not install additional barbed wire fences, issue land ownership certificates, destroy houses and property near the fence, or carry out any activities in areas not yet agreed upon by the JBC,".

On the same day the governors met, a violent confrontation erupted in Ban Nong Ya Kaeo village, Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo province. Thai security forces, primarily border patrol police, clashed with approximately 200 Cambodian civilians and monks.

Thai police confront Cambodian protestors at the border on 17/9. Photo: *Royal Thai Army*

The clash occurred in a long-disputed area, referred to by Thailand as Ban Nong Ya Kaew village in Sa Kaeo province and by Cambodia as Prey Chan village in Banteay Meanchey province.

Thai police accused the Cambodian group of attempting to breach a barbed wire fence and confronting border patrol officers, injuring several and prompting the use of tear gas and rubber bullets to disperse the crowd. Thai officials described the Cambodians' actions as “territorial encroachment”, “provocative, and a violation of the ceasefire”.

Cambodia reported 30 injuries, including monks, civilians, and soldiers, and maintained that the incident occurred within Cambodian territory.

Vu Hoang (*Bangkok Post, Khmer Times, National*)