Cambodia submits diplomatic note to Thailand over border clash

The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation submitted a diplomatic note to the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh yesterday, claiming that provocation by the Thai military led to the brief May 28clash in the un-demarcated area, in Chong Bok in Thailand’s northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani.

The Cambodian ministry also called for an immediate investigation into the incident which left one Cambodian soldier dead, and for those responsible to be held accountable.

In the note, the Cambodian Foreign Ministry accuses Thai forces of unlawfully opening fire on a trench, located in Techo Morokot village in the Preah Vihear province of Cambodia.

It insisted that Cambodian troops have been stationed, continuously and peacefully, at this location since well before the signing of the memorandum of understanding in 2000 on the survey and demarcation of land boundaries between Cambodia and Thailand.

Nonetheless, the Cambodian Foreign Ministry restated Cambodia’s firm commitment to observing restraint and resolving this border conflict through peaceful means, via the Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) and the General Border Committee (GBC).

Yesterday, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, also stated Thailand’s commitment to resolving the conflict, through the JBC and the GBC, and to avoiding any further escalation adding, though, that Thailand will take action, within the law, to protect is sovereignty.

Maris held a meeting of the Thai JBC yesterday, to discuss the border situation.

Meanwhile, Thai Army Spokesman Maj-Gen Winchai Suwaree dismissed a claim, by former Cambodian prime minister Hun Sen, that the disputed border area, called the “Emerald Triangle” by Cambodia, is located on Cambodian territory.

He said that the dispute can only be decided by the JBC, as he called on Cambodia to abide by the agreement between the two countries.