(Banteay Meanchey): On Tuesday morning (Aug. 26), the Interim Observer Team (IOT) from five countries, led by Colonel Nazlee bin Abdul Rahim, Malaysian Defence Attaché to Cambodia, conducted an on-site inspection in Chouk Chey Village, Ou Beichoan Commune, Ou Chrov District, Banteay Meanchey Province, where Thai military forces had allegedly encroached, placed barbed wire, and cleared land and houses belonging to several Cambodian families.

During the inspection, Governor of Banteay Meanchey Province Um Reatrey and Lieutenant General Seng Thearin, Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of Military Region 5, provided detailed explanations about the incident caused by Thai military actions, which had angered local Cambodian citizens and led to protests against the Thai forces.

On 25 August 2025, at 2:20 p.m., Thai soldiers entered Chouk Chey Village, opposite Nong Chan Village, Khok Sung District, Sa Kaeo Province, Thailand, to place barbed wire. At 3:14 p.m., the Thai forces attempted again, but Cambodian landowners and local villagers strongly resisted, forcing the Thai troops to withdraw and remove the barbed wire.

According to the Ministry of National Defence Spokesperson, Lieutenant General Maly Socheata, on 26 August 2025, the actions of Cambodian citizens protesting against the illegal encroachment and barbed wire installation by Thai troops in Chouk Chey Village arose solely from their determination to defend the homeland and protect their lawful property rights.
=FRESH NEWS