Martial law imposed in Sa Kaeo's Ban Nong Chan

The Burapha Task Force declared martial law on Thursday in Ban Nong Chan, a Thai border village in Khok Soong district of Sa Kaeo province which, in recent days, has become the scene of confrontations between Thai troops and Thai civilians on one side and Cambodian civilians on the other.

The announcement declaring martial law, a village claimed by both sides, which was signed by Maj-Gen Benjapol Dechatiwong na Ayudhya, said that Cambodia has used its people to incite unrest in the border village, making it necessary and unavoidable for Thailand to resort to the military, police and civilians in protecting its territory from the threat posed by Cambodia.

According to the announcement, the Sriphen Road in Ban Nong Chan is designated as the peace keeping line and, under martial law, carrying weapons of all kinds, including replica guns, in the village is banned.

Other measures include no blockading of routes which may disrupt the operations of the authorities or the livelihoods of the people, no pictures being taken of military operations, a ban on the use of loudspeakers without permission and no quarrelling or alcohol consumption in the village.

Ban Nong Chan was used by the Thai government to shelter thousands of Cambodian refugees escaping war in their country about four decades ago. After peace was restored in Cambodia, most refugees returned home, but dozens of families decided to stay on and built a community.

In recent years, however, Cambodia has claimed Ban Nong Chan as its territory and has persuaded more people to settle there.

After the armed conflict late last month between Thai and Cambodian forces, the Thai Army erected a barbed wire fence, to prevent Cambodians from entering, resulting in a confrontation between Thai troops and the Cambodian settlers.