Ban nong chan: The ongoing land dispute at Ban Nong Chan checkpoint continues to escalate as individuals flock to offer support to military personnel stationed there. The core of the contention revolves around a land ownership argument between Auntie Kham Phin and Jay Lat, which began yesterday. Today, a new player has entered the fray, claiming rightful ownership of the land and challenging Jay Lat’s assertions.

According to Thai News Agency, Police Lieutenant Colonel Songa Sripian has come forward, asserting that the land at Ban Nong Chan, specifically at boundary marker 46 where the Kamnan Lee network previously constructed a house, belongs to his family. Lt. Col. Songa stated that his family has farmed the land since the era of King Rama V and possesses clear documentation of ownership. He recounted the history of the Khmer Rouge era when Cambodians took refuge on his family’s land before relocating to a UN-organized refugee camp.

Lt. Col. Songa explained that his family continued to work the land until “Kamnan Lee,” a powerful local figure and soldier at the Royal Thai Police Station, married a Thai woman, Jae Lat. The marriage allegedly led to threats that deterred villagers from using the land. Uncle Songa questioned how Jay Lat could claim ownership without a title deed, insisting that his own family has the proper documentation. He noted that fear of threats had previously prevented them from asserting their rights.

Addressing claims of landmines in the area, Uncle Songa refuted Jay Lat’s statements that she had to hire people to clear them, insisting that no such dangers had been encountered by villagers who lived off the land. He emphasized that the Thai government had never planted landmines in the area.

As the situation stands, some military bunkers are being constructed on Uncle Songa’s claimed property. When asked about the potential need for additional bunkers, which might encroach further on his family’s land, Uncle Songa expressed willingness to accommodate such developments, provided that authorities take steps to fully remove Cambodians from the territory.