Bangkok: The Royal Thai Army has reaffirmed that Ban Nong Ya Kaew is situated within Thai territory, dismissing claims of it being an overlapping area. The Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) has already certified its position, aligning with the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) established in 2000.
According to Thai News Agency, Maj. Gen. Witai Laithomya, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, clarified the positioning of boundary markers 42 and 43 in Khok Sung District, Sa Kaeo Province. Boundary marker 42 is located at Ban Nong Ya Kaeo (Ban Prai Chan), and boundary marker 43 is at Ban Non Mak Mun, both within Khok Sung Subdistrict. The boundary between these markers is defined as a straight line extending from boundary marker 41 to 42, and onward to 43, before following Khlong Ra Lom Ruea to marker 44.
The joint Thai-Cambodian survey team has been engaged in surveying all 74 boundary markers since 2006 as part of Step 1 of the Terms of Reference (TOR). While boundary marker 42 was found to be in good condition during its survey from October 2-29, 2006, the two parties disagreed on its exact location by about 80 meters. For boundary marker 43, surveyed from November 8-December 12, 2006, it had collapsed and was buried, but both sides agreed on its correct location, where a temporary marker was subsequently erected.
The comprehensive survey results of all markers, including the 42nd and 43rd, were ratified at the 6th meeting of the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Boundary Commission on June 14, 2025. However, the boundary line between markers 42 and 43 has not yet been physically surveyed. Nonetheless, oral evidence and maps from the 2000 MOU specify the boundary as a straight line between these markers.
Historical records and maps from 1908-1909, as well as subsequent updates in 1919-1920, document the placement of the boundary markers between Siam and French Indochina. Concrete posts replaced the original wooden markers, maintaining the straight-line demarcation between markers 42 and 43.
The Royal Thai Army reiterated that Ban Nong Ya Kaew (Ban Prai Chan) remains within Thai sovereignty, not subject to territorial disputes stemming from boundary delineation between markers 42 and 43. This position is supported by procedures and historical evidence certified under the 2000 MOU and current deliberations by the Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission.