Thailand to Inform Cambodia of Border Fence Construction at Special JBC Meeting
BANGKOK, Oct 20 (TNA) - Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs will notify Cambodia of its plan to construct a border fence along the agreed-upon sovereign boundary during a special session of the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to be held in Chanthaburi province on October 21-22, a ministry spokesman said.
The Thai delegation will raise one main issue for discussion: solving the encroachment of Thai sovereignty by Cambodian nationals in the areas of Ban Nong Chan and Ban Nong Ya Kaew in Sa Kaeo province, said Nikorndej Balankura, Spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
In addition to the encroachment issue, Thailand will officially inform Cambodia of its intention to build a fence in the linear sections between border markers where both sides agree the line represents the limit of the Kingdom of Thailand's sovereignty.
Thailand will also convey four conditions for the continuation of cooperation: withdrawal of heavy weapons, landmine clearance, suppression of cross-border crime, and border area management.
Nikorndej stressed that the future of the regular JBC agenda is contingent on Cambodia demonstrating genuine intention and sincerity in upholding previous agreements, warning that a failure to do so would force Thailand to reconsider its future actions.
The Royal Thai Armed Forces Command has detailed the planned barrier, which will consist of a precast concrete base, an Alu-Zinc coated steel mesh section, and razor wire along the crest.
The total cost for the project is estimated at 8,660,000 baht per kilometre.
