Thailand Reaffirms Sovereignty Over Ban Nong Chan Area in Sa Kaeo Province

Bangkok, August 20, 2025 — Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a firm statement today reiterating its sovereignty over the Ban Nong Chan area in Sa Kaeo province, supporting earlier remarks made by the Royal Thai Army.

According to the Ministry, Ban Nong Chan is Thai territory that once served as a temporary shelter for Cambodians fleeing conflict decades ago. However, Thai officials stress that the area has since been expanded by Cambodian groups despite repeated protests from Thailand. Such encroachment, the Ministry said, constitutes a violation of the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two countries.

The Ministry emphasized three key points:

1. Restraint and Diplomacy: Thailand has exercised restraint for years, preferring to resolve differences through established bilateral mechanisms such as the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). By contrast, Cambodia has allowed its people to encroach illegally on Thai land, a move described as both “unwarranted and incendiary.”
2. Humanitarian Concerns Misused: The Ministry criticized Cambodia for exploiting Thailand’s humanitarian tradition of hosting displaced persons, calling it a “cynical act” that reveals “malicious intentions” on the Cambodian side.
3. Protecting Sovereignty: On the issue of installing barbed wire fencing within Thai territory, the Ministry said these measures were necessary to safeguard Thailand’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, protect its citizens, and prevent further encroachment. The fencing also aims to deter infiltration and the possible placement of landmines. These actions, it added, are in line with the outcome of the Extraordinary General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on August 7, 2025, where both countries agreed not to build military infrastructure beyond their respective sides.

The statement reflects Thailand’s continued commitment to managing the border issue within diplomatic frameworks while underscoring its determination to protect national sovereignty and the security of its people.

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