The situation yesterday (Sept 22) remained calm, with no mass gatherings of Cambodian nationals near the wire fences along the border, reports the Bangkok Post.
About 30 to 40 Cambodian villagers were observed moving around makeshift shelters opposite Ban Nong Ya Kaeo, while two or three Cambodian soldiers monitored Thai forces. Cambodia’s border police were also reported to have dispatched more than 100 personnel to the area.
To monitor the situation along the border, the Burapha Task Force and local administration officials are maintaining 24-hour surveillance along the frontier.
Pol Col Chaturapat Singhasathit, deputy Sa Kaeo provincial police chief and commander of the riot police unit, said that the deployment includes officers from Sa Kaeo, Prachin Buri, Chachoengsao, Rayong and Chon Buri.
On Sunday, Pol Lt Gen Yingyos Thepjumnong, commissioner of Provincial Police Region (PPR) 2, inspected the readiness of the riot police at Sa Kaeo Provincial Administrative Organisation.
He reviewed crowd-control equipment and instructed personnel to strictly follow the law and prioritise safety.
Pol Lt Gen Yingyos also ordered repeated drills to prevent mistakes or unnecessary losses. He also conveyed support from the police command, noting that morale among the officers remained high.
In addition, 80 paramilitary volunteers joined the mission, extending coverage across all eight eastern provinces under the PPR 2’s jurisdiction.
Meanwhile, regional military leaders have expressed frustration with Cambodia over its lack of commitment to implementing agreements reached at the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) meeting on Sept 10. The talks had called for both sides to withdraw heavy weapons and high-destructive armaments to their bases within three weeks.
Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the Second Army Region, said Cambodia has shown no sign of compliance, instead reinforcing its positions. He warned that further provocations could end dialogue altogether.