Cambodians protest against Thailand
BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH—Thousands of Cambodians joined a state-organized march in its capital on Wednesday to support the government in an ongoing border dispute with Thailand triggered by the death of a Cambodian soldier last month.
The two neighbors share an 820-km land border, parts of which are undemarcated and include ancient temples that both sides have contested for decades.
The rally comes days after officials held talks in Phnom Penh in a bid to ease tensions. Though the talks were inconclusive, both sides pledge to continue dialogue.
Marchers shouted slogans, waved the Cambodian flag and held portraits of the Prime Minister Hun Manet and his father, the influential former Prime Minister Hun Sen.
‘Drone flights’
Monks and students were seen at the rally, led by deputy premier Hun Many, the prime minister’s brother.
“Cambodia’s land! We won’t take others’ land, we keep our land!” some chanted.
On Wednesday, Cambodia’s defense ministry said that Thailand had again violated its sovereignty.
“Thailand has increased activities in the area, including drone flights, trench digging, and troop deployments along the border,” the statement said.
Thailand rejected the accusation.
“These trenches are located well within Thai sovereign territory, and therefore, we refute any allegation that we violated the MOU 2000,” foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said, referring to a memorandum of understanding signed in 2000 aimed at resolving border disputes.
Border tightened
“Thailand has not increased activities in the area along the border,” he added.
Bangkok has tightened its borders and threatened to cut off electricity supplies to its neighbor.
