A FORMER Cambodian lawmaker accused Thailand of moving boundary marker 73 with this costing his country half of Koh Kood and maritime territory while two more landmines were found in Ubon Ratchathani, PPTVHD36 said this evening (Nov. 14).
Um Sam An, a former MP and member of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, alleged in a Facebook post that at minimum Thailand had moved this French colonial era boundary stone on Koh Kood by 500 metres,
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has also previously made a similar accusation.
Boundary stone number 73 is extremely important because according to the 1907 Franco-Siamese Treaty and the map appended to it the starting point of the Cambodian-Siamese maritime border must begin at this spot and be drawn to the highest point of Koh Kood.
Cambodia must demand that Thailand return boundary stone number 73 to its original position before defining the maritime border and Koh Kood, or else file a lawsuit against Thailand at the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Um Sam An said.
He also accused Thailand of moving boundary markers from 42 to 47 at Ban Chok Chai and Ban Prey Chan.
Many of the new boundary markers recently placed are also not in their original positions, meaning they encroach deeply into Cambodian territory, he accused, adding boundary stone number 73 is one of the 74 erected between 1919 and 1920 during the French colonial era with number 22 being a double marker.
Meanwhile the Thai army found two more landmines at Chong An Ma area of Ubon Ratchathani province as mine clearance continues along the border.
Army Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvari said the two new PMN-2 anti-personnel mines, with the safety pins still attached, were collected and evidence recorded for further reporting to the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT).
Considering the location of the mines, which were 50 metres apart, it is suspected that the Cambodian soldiers were preparing to instigate attacks on Thai border patrols or to improve the area.
This action constitutes a clear violation of Thai sovereignty and demonstrates an intention to ambush Thai military personnel while also violating the Ottawa Mine Ban Treaty, which both Thailand and Cambodia have ratified.
CAPTIONS:
Top – Koh Kood island.
First insert – Former Cambodian MP Um Sam An and his Facebook post.
Second insert – The two new landmines found in Thai territory. All photos – PPTVHD36
Also read:
Thai, Cambodian leaders renew peace commitment after border flare-up, says Anwar
60,000 Ayutthaya households suffering from severe flooding
Anutin might dissolve House before Thaksin is freed from jail
Yingluck might be accused during censure debate of taking scammers’ bribes, albeit unknowingly
