Thai Troops Halt Cambodian Border Ploughing

Thai military forces stopped Cambodian villagers and troops from carrying out agricultural work inside disputed border land in Sa Kaeo province after GPS checks showed the activity had crossed beyond the agreed boundary line into Thai territory.

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The 1st Army Area Operations Centre said on 17 May 2026 that Burapha Task Force units received reports from villagers on 16 May at about 10am that Cambodian nationals had brought tractors into farmland between checkpoints S.42 and S.44 in Ban Ang Sila, Non Mak Mun subdistrict, Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo province.

Troops from Task Force Khok Sung and Ranger Control Unit 12 were sent to inspect the area and found Cambodian villagers ploughing land in preparation for farming activities. Thai officials said the activity had taken place outside the red line, beyond the claimed overlapping area and inside Thai sovereign territory.

Thai rangers also reported the presence of Cambodian soldiers in the area. Officers then entered negotiations with the Cambodian side and used GPS equipment to show the coordinates of both the red and blue boundary lines.

According to the Thai military statement, Cambodian villagers were informed that the activity violated the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding, known as MOU 43, governing the use of disputed border areas between the two countries. Thai officials said the ploughing had clearly crossed beyond the red line regarded by Thailand as sovereign territory.

Pictures courtesy of Amarin

Thai forces requested an immediate halt to all related activities in the disputed area and said the information would be passed to commanding officers on both sides of the border. Following discussions, Cambodian villagers agreed to stop preparing the agricultural plots until border demarcation issues are formally resolved.

Thai authorities also briefed affected Thai villagers to explain the situation and said border survey officials would be brought in to inspect the area as part of the ongoing demarcation process. The incident comes amid heightened attention along the Thai-Cambodian border following recent military tensions and accusations of provocations near disputed areas.

Amarin reported that the 1st Army Area and Burapha Task Force said they would continue operations to protect Thai sovereignty and maintain security along the entire Thai-Cambodian border. Officials stated that protecting national interests and ensuring the safety of residents living near the border remained a priority.

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Adapted by ASEAN Now Amarin 18 May 2026