Picture courtesy of TNR

 

Police used tear gas and rubber bullets on Cambodian civilians who attempted to tear down a border fence in Sa Kaeo province on 17 September 2025. The incident occurred when about 200 Cambodians, carrying sticks, began dismantling barbed wire along the frontier. Despite police warnings and negotiations, the group pressed ahead, prompting officers to escalate their response.

 

According to the Burapha Task Force, the confrontation began at 15:53, near Ban Nong Ya Kaew. Police held talks with the group for around 30 minutes, but the Cambodians refused to stop. At 16:20,  riot control units deployed tear gas, followed by rubber bullets, to disperse the crowd.

 

Witnesses reported that some people retreated after the tear gas was fired, though others continued dismantling the wire. A security source confirmed that an international observer team had been present earlier but departed before the Thai troops restored the barrier. After the fence was rebuilt, disturbances resumed as additional Cambodians arrived and clashed with officers.

 

Thai authorities emphasised that the correct measures were used, due the threat posed. They noted that police had been instructed to monitor the area closely and take further action to prevent disturbances. The use of tear gas eventually helped bring the situation under control, though tensions remained.

 

Observers said the repeated attempts to breach the fence highlight ongoing border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia. The incident underscores the challenges faced by local security forces in maintaining order along disputed or sensitive frontier zones. Officials did not immediately report injuries on either side.

 

Looking ahead, Thai police and troops are expected to maintain a strong presence at Ban Nong Ya Kaew to prevent further attempts to damage the border fence. Security monitoring has been stepped up and authorities are preparing for possible renewed gatherings from the Cambodian side.

 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• Around 200 Cambodians attempted to dismantle a border fence in Sa Kaeo on 17 September.

• Thai riot police used tear gas and rubber bullets after negotiations failed.

• Authorities have reinforced the fence and stepped up monitoring to prevent further clashes.

 

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Thai-Cambodia-border-tensions-rise-over-land-dispute

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from Thainewsroom 2025-09-18

 

 

 

 

Some on either side want the borders open, some want it permanently closed... time to sort out the mess.

The question is:

Why some Cambodians want to teard down the fence at this particular place?

No answer in this article unfortunately.

Talking and negotiations are better than shooting

2 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

The question is:

Why some Cambodians want to teard down the fence at this particular place?

No answer in this article unfortunately.

Talking and negotiations are better than shooting

They probably get paid by Hun Sen to do it.

Hehehe... troops fighting dont work ... so the Cambodians sent in their supposed "peasants" to fight Thai troops/police to gain sympathy ... hahahahaha...😄🤣  looks all like well-fed grown men ... better check.. if they are indeed peasants and not soldiers in disguised... 😆🤭

Sounds like same playbook tactics of ... u know who ... ..😂. 

17 minutes ago, hotchilli said:

Some on either side want the borders open, some want it permanently closed... time to sort out the mess.

Should be closed for a year or two, with very strict enforcement measures in place. IMO reopening should involve no more than one checkpoint per province.

 

Being in Surin near the border I can see that lot of "business" is mafia related, so good riddance.

25 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

The question is:

Why some Cambodians want to teard down the fence at this particular place?

No answer in this article unfortunately.

Talking and negotiations are better than shooting

My wife tells me that it is Thai land that Cambodians, fleeing Pol Pot, were loaned to live on until it was safe to return to their real homes. Unfortunately the Cambos decided it was part of Cambodia.

1 minute ago, Coota said:

My wife tells me that it is Thai land that Cambodians, fleeing Pol Pot, were loaned to live on until it was safe to return to their real homes. Unfortunately the Cambos decided it was part of Cambodia.

That's the tale, but reality/contracts at the time of Siam is different.

Bending the law is one of Thailand's HiSo's skills

4 minutes ago, Coota said:

My wife tells me that it is Thai land that Cambodians, fleeing Pol Pot, were loaned to live on until it was safe to return to their real homes. Unfortunately the Cambos decided it was part of Cambodia.

The same I heard from my friend, who's 70 and an English school owner with contacts all over Thailand and into Cambodia. Allowing people to cross back and forth who buy and trade food and such should happen as it always has. Let the people do what they've always done as it benefits them. 

So what are those metal sticks the police are carrying in the first pic ?

7 minutes ago, FlorC said:

So what are those metal sticks the police are carrying in the first pic ?

For nose picking

52 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

The question is:

Why some Cambodians want to teard down the fence at this particular place?

No answer in this article unfortunately.

Talking and negotiations are better than shooting

The barriers run through farmlands and divide villages with predominantly Cambodian residents, blocking roads and access to long-established homes, prompting locals to protest as they're effectively cut off from their properties. Talks have stalled over fence removal and landmine allegations. It was reported in the press over a month ago. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/politics/40054341

7 minutes ago, Hamus Yaigh said:

The barriers run through farmlands and divide villages with predominantly Cambodian residents, blocking roads and access to long-established homes, prompting locals to protest as they're effectively cut off from their properties. Talks have stalled over fence removal and landmine allegations. It was reported in the press over a month ago. https://www.nationthailand.com/news/politics/40054341

Well, this article doesn't give any answer.

There are according to your comment more imminent questions:

All the years it was quiet and Cambodians working on their farm land? Who actually draw the "new" border? And is it the right documented border as it was stated in 1906? I doubt it. There is a tendency of cheating.

25 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

For nose picking

Hold a person at bay. Or pin person to ground

9 minutes ago, newbee2022 said:

Well, this article doesn't give any answer.

There are according to your comment more imminent questions:

All the years it was quiet and Cambodians working on their farm land? Who actually draw the "new" border? And is it the right documented border as it was stated in 1906? I doubt it. There is a tendency of cheating.

The article covers the current events and the details available. There is also a link to some of the background in the article.

 

Over the last few months, there have been multiple articles about the conflict and the whole situation is not going to posted and explained to you in every article. 

Flame post removed. @newbee2022 you seem to have failed to notice I write the articles.

 

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Senseless mess caused by the stupid power play between 2 nations.

Previously, they were crossing the  border with ease and getting mutual benefits from it.

Now it is gone and left with barren hostile emotions.

 

Post breaking forum rules removed.

 

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Army - extraterritorial, outside the country's border
Police - domestic control for law and order

So what is the police going in a border conflict, civilian or not? 

And the kindergarten continues

10 hours ago, hanbla said:

They probably get paid by Hun Sen to do it.

My thoughts entirely.