At least one home belonging to a Cambodian villager was torn down by Thai authorities on Tuesday in a disputed border area of Banteay Meanchey province, local authorities and Thai media said.
Excavators escorted by Thai soldiers began clearing the home on Tuesday evening in Chouk Chey village, which lies behind razor wire barriers along the Banteay Meanchey border. Thailand claims the area as part of Ban Nong Chan village in Sa Kaeo province.
Chouk Chey and nearby Prey Chan have been flashpoints since a ceasefire ended a five-day border clash between the neighbors that killed dozens and displaced hundreds of thousands. Thai forces have since erected barricades in long-settled Cambodian villages and ordered residents to vacate homes they have been barred from entering for more than two months.
The standoff has also sparked violent clashes between Thai troops and Cambodian civilians.
Pen Rithy, the Chouk Chey village chief, said six Cambodian families have been evicted from their homes by Thai forces. He confirmed that at least one house had been cleared since Tuesday but declined to comment further.
Banteay Meanchey deputy governor Ly Sovannarith also confirmed the demolition.
Government spokesperson Pen Bona declined to comment, referring inquiries to Banteay Meanchey authorities.
Neat Sokhum, a resident of Chouk Chey village, said she fears her home may be next, even though it sits about 300 meters in front of the barricade erected by Thai troops.
“I’m worried the Thai soldiers might keep moving forward and tear down my house too,” she said.
The demolition drive comes as joint border committees from the two countries continue to meet, including later on Wednesday, and as Cambodia says a peace deal is expected to be signed at the upcoming ASEAN summit in Malaysia this weekend.
After talks on Oct. 17 in Malaysia, Cambodian Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said the agreement would include the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers held in Thai custody since the July ceasefire.
Thai officials later suggested the soldiers’ release would depend on several conditions, including the withdrawal of Cambodian troops from border positions and, most contentiously, the resettlement of Cambodian citizens Bangkok says have encroached on Thai territory. Amid growing public concern that Cambodia could lose land, Prime Minister Hun Manet issued a statement last weekend clarifying that the agreement would not involve questions of territory.
