About 100 Thai people gathered in Nong Chan village in Thailand, which borders Chouk Chey village in Banteay Meanchey province, Cambodia, on August 26 to protest against Cambodians, who remained on high alert of Thai soldiers extending barbed wire fencing in their farmland and homes again.
Amid this, Banteay Meanchey provincial authorities barred journalists from doing a livestream of the protest, while a journalist was arrested for continuing despite the revocation of his media license.
Banteay Meanchey provincial deputy prosecutor Samrith Sokhon confirmed the arrest of online journalist Meas Sara, but referred questions to the military police, who are handling the case.
National Military Police spokesperson Eng Hy, however, redirected questions back to the prosecutor.
On the morning of his arrest, Sara did a livestream of the situation on the ground in Chouk Chey village where local residents protested as Thai military forces laid barbed wire along the border. During the livestream, he asked villagers to list any measures to prevent Thai people from crossing over to join the protest.
Ly Sovannrith, deputy governor and spokesperson for Banteay Meanchey province, said after Thai soldiers tried to build a fence on Monday, about 400 villagers in Chouk Chey village stood guard to monitor the situation the next day, as they were worried that Thai soldiers might try again to lay the barbed wire in their farmlands and homes.
He said the Thai soldiers did not come back again to lay barbed wire, but about 100 Thai people from other areas, who are not from Nong Chan village, gathered to protest within the Thai territory, far from the Cambodian village.
Authorities continued to monitor the situation, he told CamboJA News, adding that there was no verbal or armed confrontation. Thai people stood around and protested from a distance. Neither villagers confronted each other.
“This morning, Thai people gathered from other areas to protest with the Cambodian people, but Cambodians did not go [to protest] together. The Thai people did not come voluntarily, it was just an arrangement,” said Sovannrith.
However, he claimed that although there is no new barbed wire in Cambodia, the fence that was laid by Thai troops in Cambodian territory yesterday has not been removed yet.
A displaced person in O’Chrov district, Yi Pheuak, 32, said his relatives informed him this morning that Thai people had gathered in Thai territory because Cambodians gathered yesterday to prevent Thai soldiers from laying barbed wire around Cambodian farmland.
Pheuak added that Cambodians had set up tents along the Cambodian-Thai border to rest because they were afraid that Thai soldiers would come and lay barbed wire again.
“All the villagers gathered in Chouk Chey village, and there were many Thai soldiers and people out there,” Pheuak said.
Banteay Meanchey provincial governor Um Reatrey warned journalist San Bunthoeun not to continue doing live broadcasts about Thai soldiers and Cambodian citizens at the scene.
“Stop live [streaming]! I know how to work. I saw [you] livestream, please turn off the [live],” Reatrey said.
Banteay Meanchey information department director Sek Sokhom said authorities banned livestreaming during a protest against the Thai military’s installation of razor wire along the border. However, journalists are still allowed to take photos and report on the event, and no reporters have been arrested.
“Authorities banned livestreams because some reporters are unfamiliar with the geographical areas, and they share inaccurate information during the live broadcast,” he said.
“Reporters present can report and take photos, but livestreaming is not allowed. The concern is that live broadcasts might provoke villagers and create a situation that is difficult to control,” Sokhum said.
Regarding the prohibition of live broadcasts in the area where the Thai military allegedly intruded, the provincial administration said previous reports as well as a small group which did live broadcasts over the border issue, evoked anger in people, which made the problem more difficult to resolve.
On the afternoon of August 26, Chum Sounry, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said Cambodia sent a letter of protest to the Thai side to “strongly protest the continued violation of Cambodian sovereignty by Thai military forces”.
“This action is a violation of Cambodia’s sovereignty and reflects a deliberate attempt to expand the conflict into civilian areas,” Sounry said during a press briefing.
Meanwhile, the Interim Observer Team (IOT) led by Colonel Nazlee Abdul Rahim, Defense Attaché of Malaysia to the Kingdom of Cambodia, conducted a site visit to Chouk Chey Village earlier today to observe, verify claims, and report back.
National Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said on Tuesday that the Thai military’s installation of barbed wire fencing in Banteay Meanchey encountered strong resistance from local landowners and residents who were protecting their property.
Cambodian forces, who were unarmed, and authorities were present at the site, acting professionally to ensure civilians’ safety. Cambodia emphasized its adherence to mutually agreed ceasefire terms and commitment to peaceful resolution. It urged Thailand to respect the agreements and avoid escalating tensions.
The ministry said Cambodia maintains that border disputes must be resolved through the Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) in accordance with the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU 2000) and international law.
(Additional report by Long Somneang)
