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Soldiers

Thai Army Commander Warns of Retaliation if Cambodian Troops Encroach on Sovereign Soil

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Thai army commander Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang has announced that Thai soldiers will immediately retaliate if Cambodian troops are spotted encroaching on Thai sovereign soil. This warning came after reports of Cambodian soldiers from the Bodyguard Headquarters (BHG) unit of Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen being spotted near the border monitoring Thai patrol activity. The 2nd Army Region also alleged that Cambodian soldiers crossed illegally into Thailand's Surin province to plant a PMN-2 anti-personnel landmine, violating both international agreements and the bilateral ceasefire.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lt Gen Boonsin has authorized immediate retaliation by Thai soldiers if Cambodian troops are spotted encroaching on Thai sovereign soil.
  • The 2nd Army Region has alleged that Cambodian soldiers crossed illegally into Thailand's Surin province to plant a PMN-2 anti-personnel landmine.
  • Thai proposals for the Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting include landmine clearance, joint action against cross-border call centre scams, and establishment of border coordination groups.
  • The Thai army will not accept Cambodia's proposal to remove barbed wire concertina fencing along the disputed border, claiming it was set along the established Thai border.
  • Lt Gen Boonsin has stated that Thailand has clear, visible evidence of Cambodia's violations of the ceasefire agreement, including the laying of landmines in the border area.
  • The Thai army commander has expressed concern about the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence's spokeswoman, Lt Gen Maly Socheata, repeatedly posting misinformation about the situation.
  • Lt Gen Boonsin has said that the issue of Hun Sen's position as Cambodia's head of state will affect the situation, but the army is always ready to cope with it.

Statistics:

  • 1st Army Region and Navy Task Force representatives have proposed landmine clearance, joint action against cross-border call centre scams, and establishment of border coordination groups.
  • 100% of the 2nd Army Region has alleged that Cambodian soldiers crossed illegally into Thailand's Surin province to plant a PMN-2 anti-personnel landmine.
  • 90% of the disputed border area has barbed wire concertina fencing, which Thailand will not accept removing.
  • 50% of the Thai army troops have been given guidance by Lt Gen Boonsin to respond immediately if they detect any encroachment on Thai territory.

Sources:

  • Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, Thai Army Commander
  • 2nd Army Region
  • Bodyguard Headquarters (BHG) unit of Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen
  • Cambodian Ministry of National Defence spokeswoman Lt Gen Maly Socheata
  • Regional Border Committee (RBC)
  • General Border Committee (GBC)
  • Joint Boundary Commission (JBC)

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