Thai Prime Minister Affirms Sovereignty Amid Heightened Border Tensions with Cambodia
Paetongtarn Shinawatra rejects threats and urges Cambodia to use official diplomatic channels as border dispute intensifies
Thailand’s Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated on Monday that the country will not tolerate threats or actions undermining its sovereignty, in response to escalating tensions with Cambodia over disputed border areas.
The remarks followed a recent Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting held in Phnom Penh, which failed to yield substantive progress on long-standing territorial disagreements.
Speaking after a security briefing with senior officials at Phitsanulok House in Bangkok, the prime minister criticized the Cambodian government for issuing statements via social media rather than through official diplomatic channels.
She emphasized that such approaches could adversely affect relations between the two countries and impact the livelihoods of citizens on both sides of the border.
The prime minister’s comments came in response to reports that Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen had threatened to shut down all border checkpoints with Thailand unless normal border operations were reinstated within 24 hours.
Thailand recently adjusted the border crossing hours, citing security concerns related to the deployment of long-range weaponry in border zones.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn noted that the decision to modify crossing schedules was made to protect civilians in both countries and to prevent potential accidents or incidents.
She underscored the importance of maintaining public safety while asserting national sovereignty.
The Thai government proposed that representatives from the armed forces of both countries participate in an upcoming Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting to present their respective positions.
The meeting is scheduled to take place from June 27 to 28.
Lt Gen Boonsin Paadklang, commander of Thailand’s 2nd Army Region, confirmed that the RBC meeting would discuss the potential for partial troop withdrawals as a measure to de-escalate tensions.
He reiterated that the Thai military and government are aligned in their position to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity while seeking peaceful and coordinated resolutions.
The territorial disputes primarily involve areas near the Chong Bok border crossing in Ubon Ratchathani Province and several other contested sites along the Thailand-Cambodia frontier.
The remarks followed a recent Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting held in Phnom Penh, which failed to yield substantive progress on long-standing territorial disagreements.
Speaking after a security briefing with senior officials at Phitsanulok House in Bangkok, the prime minister criticized the Cambodian government for issuing statements via social media rather than through official diplomatic channels.
She emphasized that such approaches could adversely affect relations between the two countries and impact the livelihoods of citizens on both sides of the border.
The prime minister’s comments came in response to reports that Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen had threatened to shut down all border checkpoints with Thailand unless normal border operations were reinstated within 24 hours.
Thailand recently adjusted the border crossing hours, citing security concerns related to the deployment of long-range weaponry in border zones.
Prime Minister Paetongtarn noted that the decision to modify crossing schedules was made to protect civilians in both countries and to prevent potential accidents or incidents.
She underscored the importance of maintaining public safety while asserting national sovereignty.
The Thai government proposed that representatives from the armed forces of both countries participate in an upcoming Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting to present their respective positions.
The meeting is scheduled to take place from June 27 to 28.
Lt Gen Boonsin Paadklang, commander of Thailand’s 2nd Army Region, confirmed that the RBC meeting would discuss the potential for partial troop withdrawals as a measure to de-escalate tensions.
He reiterated that the Thai military and government are aligned in their position to safeguard the country’s territorial integrity while seeking peaceful and coordinated resolutions.
The territorial disputes primarily involve areas near the Chong Bok border crossing in Ubon Ratchathani Province and several other contested sites along the Thailand-Cambodia frontier.
