Thai troops forced to re-lay razor wire after Chinese shop owners remove barriers

Thai naval forces deploy barbed wire around houses on Cambodian soil in the Thma Da area, in Veal Veng district, Pursat province, on January 16. Royal Thai Navy

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Thai naval forces reinstalled razor wire barriers around houses and shops in an occupied part of Pursat province this morning. Yesterday, Chinese nationals who own businesses in the Thma Da area of Veal Veng district removed previous barriers form in front of their shops.

Thai Navy spokesperson Parach Rattanachaiphan claimed in a social media post today, January 16, that the fence was erected by the Trat special maritime forces “to define the line of troop deployment and control the area, in accordance with the joint statement signed by the defence ministers of both sides on December 27, 2025”.

The naval actions appear to contradict the content of the joint statement, which stipulated that both parties cease military activities and allow citizens to return to their homes without obstruction, and that both parties must avoid provocative actions.

Point 4 of the joint statement states: “Both parties agree to allow civilians living in the affected border areas to return as soon as possible, without hindrance and in safety and dignity, to their homes and normal livelihoods in the areas within their own territory.”

Similarly, Point 6 of the statement prohibits provocative activities by both sides.

“Both parties agree not to engage in provocative activities that could escalate tensions. This includes military actions to enter the airspace and territory of the other party or positions, like during a ceasefire. Both parties agree to avoid constructing or strengthening any military infrastructure or fortifications beyond their own territory,” it said.

There has so far been no reaction from Cambodian authorities on this latest incident, but they have repeatedly called on Thailand to respect the joint statement, withdraw their troops from Cambodian territory, return to dialogue and let the Joint Boundary Commission resolve the border disputes, according to international law and related agreements.

-The Phnom Penh Post-