Sa kaeo: Cambodians have encroached on over 10 rai of Thai land, plowing fields. Villagers are pleading with the government to build a wall to prevent further encroachment.
According to Thai News Agency, villagers in Sa Kaeo province are voicing their concerns after Cambodian nationals reportedly used tractors to plow rice paddies on more than 10 rai of Thai land. The affected residents are urging the government to construct a barrier to prevent future land encroachments.
Residents of Ang Sila and Nong Chan villages, located in the Non Mak Mun Subdistrict, Khok Sung District, have reported that Cambodian farmers, equipped with tractors, have been cultivating fields on the Thai side of the border. This area is near border markers 48-49 and the disputed red line area. The encroachment has caused unrest among the landowners and local villagers, who view this as a breach of Thai sovereignty and a contravention of existing border agreements.
Upon notification, rangers from the 1205th Ranger Company, part of the 12th Ranger Regiment, were dispatched to the area to investigate the situation. They instructed the Cambodian farmers to cease their plowing activities and to withdraw their tractors. In response, Cambodian soldiers claimed that they had been using the area for an extended period. Thai officials countered by presenting photographs and GPS data, clearly indicating that the plowing was occurring on Thai soil, beyond the boundary established in MOU 43. Consequently, the plowing operations were ordered to stop immediately.
Although the immediate issue has been resolved, local residents remain concerned that similar incidents may recur. The area in question is a flat, open plain lacking fences or clear boundaries, facilitating easy cross-border access.
The "red line" referenced by villagers is a tract of land claimed by Cambodia as its territory. Under MOU 43, this land is supposed to remain unused until negotiations between the two countries are concluded. Neither side is permitted to cultivate or use the land. However, Cambodians have consistently attempted to farm this stretch, from Ban Ang Sila to Ban Pa Rai, asserting ownership and resulting in ongoing disputes with Thai villagers.
Residents have been raising this issue for some time. The recent inspection by Thai soldiers confirmed that land beyond the MOU 43 line had been cleared, encroaching onto Thai territory. Villagers are urging the government to erect a definitive wall or barrier, as the flat, unfenced area allows easy access for Cambodians. The local population lives in constant apprehension, and the area is vulnerable to national security threats such as contraband smuggling, human trafficking, and illegal immigration, which directly affect the local community.