The Navy spokesperson confirmed that control of the area along the troop deployment line remains as per the joint agreement. Regarding the case where "Chinese nationals" dismantled the barbed wire fence near "Thamoda," authorities have warned and pushed them out of the area and are now urgently restoring the fence to its original and more secure state.
Regarding the incident where "Chinese nationals" dismantled barbed wire set by Thai forces to block the area near "Thamoda," the commander of the Trat Naval Task Force admitted the event occurred and sent soldiers to negotiate. He confirmed that troops continue to guard the area as previously reported.
This morning, 16 January 2026, reporters observed that some Cambodians carried belongings attempting to re-enter the area after hearing that the barbed wire had been moved behind the Chinese nationals' shop. However, they encountered Trat Marine soldiers who had re-established the barbed wire fence and maintained a military presence along the fence line, preventing access.
Rear Admiral Parach Rattanachaiphan, Navy spokesperson, explained that social media reports about the dismantling of barbed wire fence at the Ban Tha Sen border area in Trat province on 15 January 2026 concerned the fence set by the Trat Naval Task Force to define the troop deployment line. This was done to control the area in accordance with the joint agreement signed by the defense ministers of both countries on 27 December 2025.
The Navy spokesperson's office clarified that investigations found the individuals dismantling the barbed wire fence were Chinese nationals operating businesses in the area. They removed parts of the fence to retrieve their property from shops along the fence line. Upon discovery, military personnel intervened to halt the unauthorized actions. Preliminary inquiries found no intent to violate Thai military operations. Nevertheless, this unauthorized act affected state security control measures, so the group of Chinese nationals was warned and given explanations.
Additionally, the Trat Naval Task Force promptly deployed personnel to control the situation, pushing the individuals out of the area through appropriate procedures. They are also urgently restoring the barbed wire fence to its original and more secure condition to maintain the clarity of the troop deployment line and ensure continuous military security measures, including instituting controls to prevent similar incidents from recurring.
The Navy affirmed that all actions were conducted carefully within the framework of the joint agreement between the two countries. Thailand remains firmly committed to the principles of the Joint Statement mutually agreed upon by both nations to uphold stability, security, and good bilateral relations along the border area.
