Disputed village 'in Thailand'

Cambodia 'using its people' to push claim

- MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

The Royal Thai Army says Ban Nong Chan, which is located near the Thai-Cambodia border in Sa Kaeo province, lies within Thai territory, despite claims to the contrary by Cambodian authorities and residents along the border.

Responding to complaints from Cambodia about the army's decision to install barbed-wire fences near Ban Nong Chan in Khok Sung district, spokesman for the Royal Thai Army, Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, said yesterday that the area in question lies entirely within Thailand's jurisdiction, pointing to the village's relative location to boundary markers 46 and 47 along the frontier.

The army spokesman said the barbed wire fences are not intended to demarcate national borders, but serve as temporary barriers to enhance security for Thai personnel. These measures are meant to prevent incursions and the possible use of landmines against Thai forces, he noted.