Thai army leads ASEAN observers to former camp for Cambodian refugees

The Cambodian film “Ghost Mountain: Second Killing Field” portrays events along the Thai–Cambodian border.

Poster imagery referring to Thai soldiers has also been released.

In the latest development, the Royal Thai Army has taken the ASEAN Observer Team–Thailand (AOT-TH), together with Thai and foreign journalists, to Khok Sung district in Sa Kaeo province to monitor the border situation.

The delegation was also briefed on the area’s history and Thailand’s past humanitarian assistance to Cambodians in the province.

Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said the visit was organised in line with the policy of army commander-in-chief Gen Pana Claewplodtook, who assigned army deputy chief of staff Lt Gen Teeranan Nandhakwang to lead the delegation.

The programme included reviewing the border situation and the Burapha Task Force’s operations, learning about the area’s history to gain a comprehensive understanding of the situation, and meeting troops serving along the border to offer encouragement.

The delegation visited the Learning Centre for the History of Khao I Dang, on a site spanning more than 64 hectares that had sheltered more than 160,000 Cambodian refugees.

It received a briefing on Thailand’s assistance to Cambodians fleeing conflict, fighting and starvation in their country.

Many had been forced to leave their homes and head to the Thai border in search of safety.

Thailand provided shelter and worked with international organisations to supply food, drinking water, medical care and other essentials on humanitarian grounds, while protecting both those fleeing danger and Thai residents along the border.

The delegation then visited Nanthawong operations base in Ban Nong Chan, Non Mak Mun subdistrict, which the Burapha Task Force had upgraded to ensure comprehensive coverage of the area.

According to the briefing, Ban Nong Chan had been the site of a temporary refugee centre for Cambodians fleeing war.

Settlement continued, with an expansion of areas used for livelihoods and of buildings within Thai sovereign territory.

Historical maps and photographs were compared with present-day conditions to explain the community’s origins and changes in land use.

The Thai side maintained that it had repeatedly lodged objections and worked to resolve the issue through cooperation mechanisms and relevant laws, but had not received the level of cooperation expected from Cambodia.

The Thai side maintained that continued residence did not legitimise encroachment and that those who had settled without permission must undergo the procedures prescribed by Thai law.

Winthai said the visit was also important in presenting facts to the international community, as Cambodia continued to use border issues to make allegations against Thailand in international forums.

These concerned the status of the land and the number of people affected, with the Thai side considering the information inconsistent with conditions on the ground.

He also referred to Cambodia’s linking of these issues to humanitarian allegations, which could mislead the international community.

He added that allowing ASEAN observers and journalists to receive information and inspect conditions on the ground demonstrated Thailand’s readiness to provide explanations supported by verifiable evidence.

The aim was to ensure an accurate understanding of the land, the community’s history and the people actually affected.

The army affirmed that Thailand had consistently upheld humanitarian principles while protecting its sovereignty and public safety.

It also expressed its readiness to disclose the facts and its commitment to resolving border problems peacefully, in strict accordance with the law and mutual agreements.