The Royal Thai Navy has confirmed progress in dismantling structures encroaching on Thai territory along the border in Trat province, as parallel operations to clear landmines and unexploded ordnance have secured more than 236,000 square metres of land.
Rear Adm Parach Rattanachiayaphan, deputy navy spokesman, said three illegally built houses had been demolished in Ban Nong Ri, tambon Chamrak in Muang district of the eastern province bordering Cambodia. He described their removal as a positive first step, though several encroaching structures remain.
Among them is a large casino building at Laem Klat, which one of 17 targeted demolition sites. He noted that while most tasks are near completion, all removals require Cambodian cooperation, and the casino building will need multi-party coordination due to its size.
Security sources confirmed that operations have been under way in recent days, though details remain restricted for national security reasons.
The encroachments date back decades, originally on land once occupied by Thai timber workers before being taken over by Cambodian settlers.
Adm Pairote Fuangchan, the incoming navy chief, stressed that Thailand continues to apply pressure over the disputed casino, which has not yet been used. He insisted the structure must eventually be destroyed and added that there were no new cases of encroachment in Chanthaburi or Trat.
The casino complex that straddles the border was built by Chinese investors, and before the hostilities broke out, about 2,000 Chinese were staying in the area, according to Thai security authorities.
Progress on mines
In a related development, the Second Army Region has reported major progress in clearing hazardous remnants of the border conflict in late July.
Clearance teams in August and September carried out extensive removal operations in Phu Makua in Si Sa Ket, and Chong An Ma and Chong Bok in Ubon Ratchathani, according to Col Siwa Whangakart, spokesman for the National Mine Action Centre,.
The teams removed 122 anti-personnel mines, four anti-vehicle mines, 80 unexploded ordnance items and more than 2,000 abandoned explosive weapons. In total, 2,879 explosive items were dismantled and destroyed, making 236,537 square metres of land safe for patrolling, community use and future development, he said.
Col Siwa emphasised that alongside clearance, soldiers and affected residents are being trained to recognise explosive hazards, helping prevent future accidents.
Meanwhile, activist Veera Somkwamkid visited the Thai-Cambodian border in Trat on Tuesday, criticising restrictions on accessing Boundary Marker No 73 without Cambodia’s consent as a ‘disgrace’.
He called for the demolition of casinos and buildings allegedly encroaching on Thai soil, as the structures were clearly illegal under Thai law because no construction permits had been sought from local Thai authorities.
He also demanded the revocation of the 2000 and 2001 Memoranda of Understanding with Cambodia, saying they were disadvantageous to Thailand.
As well, he warned against leaving sovereignty issues solely to the military, stressing that a civilian government must share responsibility in safeguarding the nation’s sovereignty.