Philippine observer sees O’Smach differently, notes ceasefire
Philippine ASEAN Observer Team member Col Roderick T Garcia says O’Smach looked different on the ground from media reports, while both sides continue to observe the ceasefire.
- A Philippine ASEAN observer described the O'Smach border area as a compact, self-contained town, an impression that differed from prior media reports.
- The observer confirmed that both Thailand and Cambodia are continuing to comply with their ceasefire arrangements.
- He noted Thailand's explanation that its presence is for security and that it is prepared to withdraw once a formal boundary is established.
A Philippine member of the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT) has described the O’Smach area as resembling a small, self-contained town after visiting the Thai-Cambodian border near the Chong Chom permanent border crossing in Kap Choeng district, Surin province.
Col Roderick T Garcia spoke after the field visit on Monday (September 7), noting that what he saw on the ground differed considerably from the information he had received beforehand.
Garcia explained that observations gathered during the visit would be compiled into a report for his superiors. He cautioned, however, that the team could not draw conclusions at this stage based on the evidence or differing accounts presented by either side, adding that the information collected would require further assessment and analysis.
Much of his understanding before the visit had come from social media, media reports and other news coverage, Garcia noted. Seeing the area first-hand gave him a different impression, including a clearer view of a mock police station and other simulated premises, as well as activities that had taken place there.
He characterised the area as resembling a compact town with a wide range of facilities concentrated in one place.
On the ceasefire arrangements, Garcia observed that both sides continued to comply with the agreements they had signed. He referred in particular to Thailand’s public explanation that it had no intention of occupying the area but considered control necessary to maintain security.
According to Garcia, Thailand had also indicated that it would be prepared to withdraw once a clearly defined boundary had been established. He noted that the issue would need to be addressed through the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), with further discussions required.
Garcia added that, under the current circumstances, both Thailand and Cambodia continued to adhere to their respective commitments under the ceasefire arrangements.
