Officials condemn Thai solidifying occupation in O’Smach under anti-scam guise

Officials condemn Thai solidifying occupation in O’Smach under anti-scam guise

#National

High-ranking Cambodian government officials have strongly condemned the Thai military’s attempt to legitimize its occupation of Cambodian sovereign territory, rejecting what they described as an illegitimate exercise of Thai sovereignty through law enforcement activities at alleged scam centres located in O’Smach, Oddar Meanchey province of Cambodia.

“Cambodia fully supports international cooperation to combat transnational cybercrime including online scams and human trafficking. However, we firmly reject the Thai military’s efforts to solidify the illegitimate occupation of Cambodian sovereign territory, under the guise of anti-scam law enforcement” the official said.

On Monday, the Thai military escorted foreign military attachés and officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation to alleged scam facilities in the O’Smach area of Oddar Meanchey province. The area has been illegally occupied by the Thai army following three weeks of military aggression against Cambodia in December. The official said the visit was used as a pretext to justify continued presence of Thai military.

“O’Smach has been an international border crossing since 2003, as agreed upon by both sides. The presence of foreign military attachés there clearly serves as evidence that Thai soldiers have indeed encroached upon and are illegally occupying Cambodian territory, beyond any dispute” the official added.

-Khmer Times-