Cambodia Agrees to Fill Trenches, Remove Barbed Wire at Border

On September 17, Army Spokesman Winthichai Suwaree disclosed developments in the case of Cambodian troops digging trenches and installing barbed wire barriers around Hill 450 in the Song Samran area of Phu Sing district, Sisaket province, which raised concerns about potential encroachment on Thai sovereignty. Coordination teams from both countries have held discussions, with the Cambodian side agreeing to restore the area to its original condition. The spokesman stated that the issue can be resolved through dialogue and proper channels.

Winthichai urged residents in the area to rely on official government sources rather than social media, citing concerns that unverified online reports could fuel unnecessary anxiety. He confirmed that local administrative and military units are in continuous communication, and that the actual situation is far less concerning than information circulating on social media.

Regarding the cause of the Cambodian troop activity, no official detailed report has yet been filed by local units. However, with over 500 kilometers of border and small military units stationed along the Thai-Cambodian frontier, such incidents can occasionally occur, particularly during periods of routine operations. The spokesman noted that Thailand's primary concern involves ground improvement, trench digging, and installation of barriers, but emphasized that when dialogue takes place, full cooperation is achieved.

As for Cambodia's agreement to fill the trenches and remove barriers, whether this constitutes acknowledgment of sovereignty violation remains unclear pending details from field units. The spokesman suggested the barriers may have been installed for unit security purposes, but their proximity to Thai positions warranted formal protests. He reiterated that the situation is not alarming, as the coordination teams of both countries are capable of resolving such issues.