Cambodia Accuses Thailand of "Annexing" a Border Village; Thai Military Denies It
Asia - Cambodia accused the Thai military on Friday of occupying a border village, Prey Chan, and claimed that Thailand had "annexed" the area after the recent ceasefire agreement ended, leading to intense border clashes between the two countries.
Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Prakot announced on Friday: "Thai troops have begun illegally annexing Cambodian territory, including Chuk Chey village." According to him, Thai troops destroyed civilian buildings, erected barbed wire and containers to establish a "border fence," and deployed forces to manage the disputed area. The Cambodian minister added: "Thailand's unilateral assertion of sovereignty is evidenced by its display of the Thai flag."
However, the Thai military denied Phnom Penh's claims and recent media reports about Thailand "seizing" Cambodian territory, insisting that the areas in question have always belonged to Thailand. In a statement, the Thai military said these unspecified areas "were originally where Cambodian troops were stationed and where Cambodian civilians lived, infringing on Thai sovereignty." "Therefore, it was Cambodia that occupied part of Thai territory."
Al Jazeera Qatar reported this week that Cambodia lost some territory in recent conflicts, with Thailand occupying Chuk Chey village. The village "is isolated from the outside world by metal containers and barbed wire set up by Thai troops." In the 1980s, Thailand had accepted Cambodian war refugees in the border area between Battambang province in Cambodia and Sa Kaeo province in Thailand.
After the end of the Cambodian civil war, many families continued to live there for a long time. According to Phnom Penh, Prey Chan village is home to more than 3,000 people.
The Thai military stated that Cambodian civilians have been encroaching on Thai territory for over 40 years and have illegally established "communities and settlements" with state support. The Thai military clarified: "Currently, Thailand's control and supervision of the area remain within its territory, along the frontline of operations."
She added: "This is not an invasion or occupation of Cambodian territory, contrary to some media's incorrect reports."
These two Asian countries have long had disputes over their 800-kilometer border, which was drawn during the French colonial period. Cambodia and Thailand accuse each other of instigating the latest deadly conflict over the historical control of temples in border areas.
Source: rfi
Original: toutiao.com/article/1853255549731849/
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