Cambodian Border Residents Urge International Pressure on Thailand Over Barbed Wire Dispute

By Son Minea

BANTEAY MEANCHEY, (Agu 26, 2025) — Cambodian citizens living near the Thai border have appealed to the international community to intervene and pressure Thailand to remove barbed wire fencing allegedly installed around civilian homes in Banteay Meanchey province.

Residents of Prey Chan village in O’Beichoan commune say the fencing, placed by Thai military forces, has led to forced evictions and raised fears of losing land they have lived since the 1990s.

Thong Kimleang, a longtime resident, said Thai armed forces installed barbed wire around homes on Aug. 12, forcing families to leave without retrieving personal belongings.

“On the morning of Aug. 26, another group of Thai soldiers, accompanied by local journalists, entered the area and attempted to install more fencing,” Kimleang told reporters. “We shouted at them until they left. We had no choice but to resist — this is our land.”

Kimleang said more than 200 families have lived in the area for over three decades and rely on the land for farming and daily livelihood.

“This is Cambodian territory. We have the legal right to live here,” he said. “The Thai military is violating Cambodian sovereignty.”

He called on authorities to help residents return to their homes and protect their property. “Everything inside was earned through hard work. I’m asking for justice,” he said.

Kimleang added that he would respect the decision of the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) if it determines the land lies outside Cambodian territory. “But until then, the Thai side has no right to evict us,” he said.

Another resident, Tang Ni, echoed the call for international intervention, saying families have been displaced for more than 10 days.

“There is no justification for the Thai military to evict us and encroach on our homes,” Ni said. “We are innocent civilians. We cannot confront armed forces. That’s why we need urgent help.”

Ni said residents trust the Cambodian government and international law to resolve the dispute and restore their rights.

In response to the incident, Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata, spokesperson for Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence, said the confrontation stemmed from villagers’ efforts to protect their lawful property from Thai military encroachment.

She said the installation of barbed wire and roadblocks by Thai forces violated the ceasefire agreement reached between Cambodia and Thailand on July 28 in Putrajaya, Malaysia.