Thailand Declares Martial Law at Border

SA KAEO, Aug 29 (TNA) – A Thai military commander has declared martial law in the border area of Ban Nong Chan in Sa Kaeo province following disturbances reportedly caused by Cambodians.

The Burapha Task Force announced the measure to maintain peace and order, immediately prohibiting weapons and weapon-like objects in the area.

The announcement was posted by the Kok Sung Police Station on its Facebook page, citing the need to protect national sovereignty and the lives and property of Thai citizens.

Maj Gen Benchapol Dechatiwong Na Ayutthaya, the commander of the task force, designated the area of Ban Nong Chan and the adjacent Sripen Road as a “peace-keeping zone” effective on August 28, 2025.

Under the new regulations, residents are banned from carrying any kind of weapon, blocking roads, fighting, or using loudspeakers without permission. They are also restricted from photographing military bases.

The border dispute at Ban Nong Chan, located on the Thai-Cambodian border in Sa Kaeo province, stems from long-standing disagreements over territorial boundaries. Thailand claims the area is within its sovereign territory, asserting that Cambodian villagers who were once refugees have encroached on the land.

In contrast, Cambodia disputes the border demarcation and has protested the recent installation of barbed-wire fences by the Thai military.

The situation has led to a tense standoff, with both sides’ military and civilian groups involved, prompting diplomatic and legal actions while authorities urge their citizens to avoid direct confrontations. -819 (TNA)