Disputed Border Area: Cambodia Agrees to Demolish House, Fill Trench
A recent agreement has been reached between Thailand and Cambodia regarding the demolition of a house and filling in a military trench in a disputed border area. The agreement comes after months of negotiations between the two countries’ Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). According to sources close to the matter, the JBC had previously proposed that Thailand demolish three contentious houses near the border community of Ban Chamrak.
Agreement Reached After Months of Negotiations
The agreement was contained in a letter signed by Col Chan Bundy, commander of Battalion 501 of the Fifth Military Region of Cambodia. The letter was received by Capt Pharis Wongpensi, commander of the Trat Marine Task Force, on Thursday. In the letter, Cambodia agreed to demolish one house and fill in the military trench as proposed by Thailand. However, the agreement left two other houses to be decided by the JBC.
Background of the Dispute
The dispute has been ongoing for several years, with both countries claiming ownership of a significant portion of the disputed area. The issue has led to tensions between the two nations, with each side accusing the other of encroaching on their territory. The JBC was established to resolve the dispute and ensure that both countries’ claims are respected.
Thai Proposal Rejected in Part
The Thai proposal included three contentious issues near the border community of Ban Chamrak. Thailand had proposed demolishing five houses, two of which were located at TU 50640-45701. However, Cambodia agreed to demolish only one house. On the second issue, Thailand asked Cambodia to restore a military trench dug by Cambodian soldiers at location TU 51601-52015. In response, Cambodia agreed to modify the trench as proposed.
Rejection of Thai Request
However, on the third issue, Cambodia rejected a Thai request to demolish two other houses in a rubber plantation, located at TU 51745-52744. According to the letter, Cambodia argued that these houses belonged to civilians and since the border issue remained unresolved, the matter should be referred to the JBC for a final resolution.
Verification Process
Capt Pharis Wongpensi said he had not yet received evidence showing that Cambodia had filled the trench or demolished the house as stated in the letter. The force and the Third Marine Ranger Unit will conduct further inspections to verify the situation, and once confirmed, the media will be informed accordingly.
Satellite Image Reveals Disputed Area
A satellite image shows the disputed area circled in red, highlighting the complexity of the issue. The dispute has been ongoing for several years, with each side accusing the other of encroaching on their territory.
No Timeline for JBC to Resolve Issue
The JBC has yet to provide a timeline for resolving the issue. However, both countries have agreed to work together to resolve the dispute and ensure that both claims are respected. The agreement marks a significant step towards resolving the long-standing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.
What’s Next?
In conclusion, the agreement reached by Thailand and Cambodia regarding the demolition of a house and filling in a military trench is a positive step towards resolving the disputed border area. However, much work remains to be done to resolve the issue fully. The JBC will continue to negotiate with both countries to ensure that their claims are respected.
Conclusion
The agreement reached by Thailand and Cambodia regarding the demolition of a house and filling in a military trench marks an important step towards resolving the disputed border area. However, much work remains to be done to resolve the issue fully. The JBC will continue to negotiate with both countries to ensure that their claims are respected.