The governor of Sa Kaeo, in his capacity as head of the provincial AHC, proposed the plan during a meeting yesterday (Sept 3), said Rear Adm Surasant Kongsiri, the centre spokesman.
He said the fence would be built to enhance border security and residents’ safety, amid reports from local residents of Cambodians encroaching on the forest area.
The fence will lie across the 50th and 51st border markers, reports the Bangkok Post.
Ban Nong Chan has become a hotspot in recent weeks amid confrontations between Thai villagers and Cambodian settlers who staged boisterous protests after the Thai military surrounded the village with barbed wire.
Thailand maintains that the land was set aside as a refugee camp to receive those fleeing the Cambodian war in the 1970s. They and their descendants have occupied the area ever since.
Rear Adm Surasant said the centre plans to investigate land rights in the area, and charges of violating the Forest Act are expected to be pressed against Cambodian nationals who trespass on forest areas.
Yesterday’s meeting also discussed a visit to the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defence Command on Tuesday by a team of Asean military observers. The information gathered is expected to lead to a fair assessment of the situation from the group known as the Interim Observer Team, said Rear Adm Surasant Kongsiri.
Meanwhile, preparations are under way for a meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC) from Sept 7-10 in Koh Kong, an island province of Cambodia. The press briefing will be arranged in Trat, on mainland Thailand.
In a related development, Acting Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit said yesterday that potential political changes in Thailand, which could include the dissolution of parliament, would not affect the Thai-Cambodian border situation.
The Ministry of Defence Organisation Act gives authority to the supreme commander-in-chief and his subordinates at different levels to manage the situation, he said.
Asked if Cambodia might take advantage of creating a situation while Thailand’s politics were in flux, Gen Nattaphon said the situation remains calm, with border forces standing ready.