A SENIOR Cambodian People’s Party lawmaker on Monday took time out from debate at the National Assembly to condemn a group of Thailand’s pro-government Yellow Shirts that is reportedly planning to uproot border markers during a protest next week near disputed temples along the border.

“I strongly condemn Veera Somkwamkid for his plan to pull out demarcation poles. He is a lawmaker, but he is acting blindly,” Cheam Yeap said after the session, referring to a protest leader for the Yellow Shirts. He added that he had delivered similar comments on the assembly floor.

Various Thai and Cambodian media outlets have reported on the protesters’ intentions to uproot the border markers in an area near Ta Moan Touch and Ta Moan Thom temples.

Last week, 58 Cambodian NGOs released a joint statement that also denounced the Yellow Shirts.

“We condemn the action of [Veera Sokwamkid] and his colleagues, and they have to stop their plan, which will lead to serious tension between Cambodians and Thais,” the statement reads.

Neak Vong, deputy commander of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces Brigade 42, said soldiers in Oddar Meanchey province were “standing here to protect our territory and demarcation poles and anything that belongs to Cambodians”.