Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said he will visit several communities along the border with Cambodia to oversee security operations and ensure the welfare of Thai citizens amid the ongoing tensions with the neighbouring country. Speaking to the press on Thursday, Mr Anutin said as the country's prime minister and interior minister, he is responsible for the success of military operations and the well-being of residents living on the frontier. He also reiterated his position on the conflict, saying Thailand's territorial integrity must be protected, and that no negotiations will take place as long as Cambodia continues to reinforce their positions near the border. The prime minister also stressed that the National Security Council and local military commands have been authorised to act to protect the nation's interests along the border, before pointing out that Lt Gen Adul Bunthamcharoen was appointed deputy defence minister to facilitate operations in the Second Army Region's jurisdiction. "The safety of our citizens and the preservation of our sovereignty are paramount. Within four months, we aim to resolve the situation compromising Thailand's territorial integrity," the prime minister said. He added that the government is expediting the establishment of emergency shelters and the distribution of aid and compensation to residents affected by the conflict. In a related development, Cambodia on Thursday agreed to demolish a house in Ban Chamrak, which lies on the disputed border between Pursat in Cambodia and Trat in Thailand, after determining that the house is located within Thai territory. The agreement was outlined in a letter dated Sept 22, signed by Colonel Chan Bundy, commander of Cambodia's 501st Battalion, Fifth Military Region, which was sent to Captain Pharis Wongpensi, commander of Trat Marine Special Task Force. The letter followed a meeting held on Sept 19 at Ban Tha Sen checkpoint in Trat, during which Thailand asked Cambodia to demolish five houses owned by Cambodians in the border village that the government believes are located inside Thai territory. Cambodia agreed to demolish one house and restore a trench which its forces had filled in after determining the structures were located within Thailand's territory. However, Cambodia rejected Thailand's demand to demolish two houses in a nearby rubber plantation, saying the matter needs to be discussed by the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). Meanwhile, the Royal Thai Army, on Thursday postponed the Regional Border Committee meeting that was scheduled for Sept 25-27 to October, citing ongoing operational adjustments and cross-border tensions. Army officials stressed that discussions without updated ground-level information would be ineffective. Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree also added that the decision to delay the meeting was taken due to internal changes within the Royal Thai Army, including command handovers that would take place on Oct 1, and the fact that Cambodia had not acted fully on earlier agreements.

Source: Bangkok Post