Bangkok: The Royal Thai Army has accused Cambodia of distorting facts and making slanderous claims regarding the establishment of communities that violate the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of 2000. The Army’s spokesman emphasized that the barbed wire at Ban Nong Chan is situated within Thai sovereignty, countering accusations from Cambodia.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Chum Sonry, spokesman for the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced developments regarding the ceasefire agreement between Cambodia and Thailand. On August 26, 2025, he stated that Thailand had violated Cambodian sovereignty and the ceasefire agreement by laying barbed wire encroaching on the homes and lands of residents in Chok Chey village, O Bei Chuen subdistrict, O Choro district, Banteay Meanchey province. This was perceived as an expansion of the conflict area into civilian territories.
Army spokesman Major General Winthai Suvari responded by asserting that Thailand’s barbed wire deployment was a defensive measure against mine threats from Cambodia, which he claimed violated the ceasefire agreement. He maintained that the operation was confined within Thai sovereignty and did not infringe upon the homes and lands of Chok Chey village residents. Instead, he accused Cambodia of supporting its citizens in encroaching on Thai land.
The issue at Ban Nong Chan, according to Thai officials, stems from Cambodia’s establishment of a community that encroaches on Thai sovereignty, violating the MOU43 agreement and causing distress for Thai citizens. Despite Thailand’s protests through official procedures, no resolution has been reached with Cambodia.
The Thai Army insists that its actions do not represent an expansion of the conflict area into civilian zones, emphasizing that this region has been a site of conflict for over two decades. While Thailand has adhered to the protest solutions outlined in the MOU43 agreement, they claim Cambodia has been indifferent.
Furthermore, the MOU43 prohibits any alterations to the environment in the border area, a clause Thailand contends Cambodia is violating through additional construction of public housing and military shelters.
The claims from Cambodia, suggesting that Thailand has breached the ceasefire agreement and MOU43, are labeled by Thai officials as distorted and defamatory. The Thai Army argues that these statements from Cambodia violate the ceasefire agreement and are aimed at maligning Thailand’s image.
Recently, when Thailand attempted to lay barbed wire to safeguard its land survey team, Cambodian officials allegedly incited civilians to disrupt the situation and display aggression. This, according to the Thai Army, was an attempt to provoke a retaliatory response from Thailand, which could be filmed and reported globally. However, the Thai side’s restraint and awareness have reportedly thwarted these efforts.