Latest news with #2ndArmyRegion
Bangkok Post
8 hours ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Army 'ready' to fence off border temple if asked
The commander of the 2nd Army Region said on Tuesday he is prepared to proceed with fencing off the disputed Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin province pending an order from the government and the Department of Fine Arts. Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang said the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border remains stable, with dialogue being held at the local level, although decisions from both sides at the policy level are still pending. The temple is located on the verge of the border. Regarding a recent incident where a Thai tourist assaulted a Cambodian soldier at the temple, Lt Gen Boonsin said Thai authorities have issued an apology to the Cambodian commander, which was accepted, and legal action has been taken against the assailant. Lt Gen Boonsin urged tourists to be mindful as their actions affect international relations. Both Thai and Cambodian commanders are urged to keep an eye on their subordinates as the venue has been attracting many visitors lately, he said. Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen warned on Monday that building a fence around the temple could escalate the conflict. "I am not threatening war, but we are preparing for a war that may come," he was quoted as saying by the Khmer Times on Tuesday. Lt Gen Boonsin said the army would comply if ordered to do so by the government. He noted that Thailand relies on a 1:50,000 scale map as a reference. Any probable changes to the demarcation line would be technical and the responsibility of the government, he said. Cambodians can conduct religious practices at temples such as Ta Khwai in Surin, but within appropriate limits, Lt Gen Boonsin added. Army spokesperson Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said the recent confrontation at Ta Muen Thom temple, which saw a Cambodian woman accuse Thai soldiers of entering Cambodian territory, is now being probed. Altercations were reported, but the situation was later brought under control.
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thai defence chief suggests ways to ease border tensions with Cambodia
Chief of Defence Forces Gen Songwit Noonpakdee has urged Cambodia to coordinate border operation hours and withdraw long-range weapons to facilitate cross border trade and ease tensions between the two countries. He has called for a reduction in military presence along the Thai-Cambodian border and proposed the withdrawal of long-range weaponry to levels consistent with those in 2024. He reiterated that Thailand has never closed its border checkpoints, but merely r egulated their operating hours. He further suggested that both countries should synchronise their checkpoint opening times to facilitate cross-border trade and ease the movement of people. Genl Songwit said that last Friday, Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the 2nd Army Region, informed him that military-level dialogue and cooperation had significantly increased. This includes joint border patrols being conducted three times a week, a development that Thailand supports. He said Thailand's position remains steadfast on the following principles: preservation of national sovereignty, which has been consistently upheld in accordance with Thailand's operational maps, and continued bilateral dialogue through established mechanisms including the Regional Border Committee (RBC), the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), and the General Border Committee (GBC). The desired outcome of these discussions, General Songwit said, is to de-escalate military confrontations along the border. In particular, he called for a return to pre-existing force levels and the removal of long-range weapons, emphasising that military presence should be proportionate and limited to ensure the safety of civilians in both countries. He also expressed a desire to see greater facilitation of cross-border trade and movement, confirming that Thailand has not closed any checkpoints. He clarified that Thailand currently operates its border crossings from 8am to 4pm, whereas Cambodia has opted to close many of its border points. As such, he proposed that both nations agree to standardised checkpoint operating hours—from 8am to 6pm—to allow smoother traffic and mobility across the border. Scam networks Gen Songwit also addressed the issue of transnational scam networks, saying that a recent tripartite meeting was held in Myanmar, involving representatives from Thailand, China, and Myanmar. The meeting concluded with a consensus to continue operations to dismantle call centre scam syndicates, as significant numbers of individuals remain involved in these criminal enterprises. To date, over 8,000 individuals have been repatriated, yet estimates suggest the original target number may be as high as 50,000. In the area opposite Mae Sot District in Myawaddy, Myanmar, Chinese authorities estimate that approximately 50,000 people are to be processed and returned. Several business operators in Myanmar connected to these scam networks have already been forced to cease operations under local legal orders. Some of these operators also face international arrest warrants. As Myanmar continues to face increased pressure through disruptions to electricity, internet, and fuel supplies, scam operations have started relocating, particularly towards the eastern regions. Thailand's Task Force 88 has consequently intensified its operations in those areas. Arrest warrants have already been issued, and cooperation has been sought from both domestic and international authorities, including neighbouring countries. Thailand plans to establish a multinational special task force this month to directly address the issue of scam syndicates. Task Force 88 will be responsible for providing further operational details.
Nikkei Asia
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Nikkei Asia
Audio: Leaked phone call that led to Thai PM Paetongtarn's suspension
BANGKOK -- Paetongtarn Shinawatra's attempt to ease the Thailand-Cambodia border tensions has backfired, with a leaked 17-minute audio of her phone call with Hun Sen leading to a court decision to suspend her from prime minister duties. The audio above contains excerpts from the conversation, which Paetongtarn said was intended for Thailand's national interests. The excerpts have been selected and translated by Nikkei Asia. The audio was taken from a Facebook post on Hun Sen's official account, in which he confirms that the conversation took place on June 15. They spoke in Thai and Khmer, respectively, through a translator. Paetongtarn: I have to talk to you [Hun Sen] regarding the border issue. We are on the same page. Both His Excellency Hun Sen and I want peace for the two countries. I don't want Uncle to listen to those on the opposite side. Because if you listen to them, like the commander of the 2nd Army Region, they are all from the opposite side. And after listening, I don't want His Excellency to feel displeased or angry, because truly, that's not our intention at all. Because right now, they just want to look cool, so they'll say things that aren't beneficial to the nation. But the truth is, we want peace to happen, just like before any of the clashes at the border. His Excellency Hun Sen, please, have some sympathy for your niece. Because lately, people in Thailand are all telling me to go be prime minister in Cambodia (laughs). (laughs) Honestly, if there's anything His Excellency wants, please just tell me. I'll take care of it. Hun Sen: Now, what [Cambodia] wants is for all the border to be reopened as normal. That is all Cambodia wants, and it is the first step. Paetongtarn: OK, same here. Hun Sen: We Cambodians really want to take everything back to normal, but the Thai side has not taken such steps. Cambodia was not the first to close the border; it was the Thai side that closed it first. So, why is Thailand not yet reopening the border? You don't need to ask me for that. If the Thai side settles everything back to normal, the Cambodian prime minister will follow their lead. Paetongtarn: We are ready. Actually, we can certainly open it for you. But it needs to be seen as an announcement of a mutual agreement that we're opening it, doesn't it? Otherwise, if I say, "I give in, I give in, I give in to everything you want," then it's me who suffers. Because now, it's gone beyond the checkpoints, to the issues before that. Hun Sen: OK, before putting down the phone, I want to make the point that we Cambodians only have one demand: We want Thailand to reopen the border as normal. Then, we will follow suit after. This issue does not need to be negotiated between Cambodia and Thailand because Thailand took the first move on closing the border. So Thailand needs to reopen it on its own. For Cambodia's part, we will follow your steps. Paetongtarn: Yes. That's OK. That's fine. Then I will inform you as soon as possible about how it all goes. Hun Sen: I will await your response Paetongtarn: Thank you very much. Thank you, Your Excellency Samdech, too.
Bangkok Post
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Court suspends PM Paetongtarn
The Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty pending its consideration of the case against her involving a controversial phone conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. The nine Constitutional Court judges resolved unanimously to accept the senators' petition against Ms Paetongtarn continuing as premier for consideration and temporarily suspended her from office by seven votes to two. Ms Paetongtarn remains in the cabinet because in Monday's royal approval of her new cabinet she was given the dual role of minister for culture. The petition, initiated by 36 senators, asked the court to investigate a leaked audio recording of a phone conversation between Ms Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, and sought her suspension pending the court's ruling. In the conversation Ms Paetongtarn was heard making derogatory remarks about the commander of the 2nd Army Region as well as showing a submissive tone towards Hun Sen. She is accused of lacking qualifications and integrity. Deputy Prime Minister Suriya Jungrungreangkit is acting prime minister. After learning of the court's order Ms Paetongtarn said she had phoned Hun Sen in a bid to prevent more clashes with Cambodia. 'I was thinking only about way to prevent clashes and casualties. I insist that I had no ill intentions,' she said. "I apologise if the approach I took was unsatisfactory,' she said.
Bangkok Post
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Court suspends PM Paetongtarn from office in Hun Sen phone call case
The Constitutional Court on Tuesday suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra from duty pending its consideration of the case against her involving a controversial phone conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. The nine Constitutional Court judges resolved unanimously to accept the senators' petition against Ms Paetongtarn continuing as premier for consideration and temporarily suspended her from office by seven votes to two Ms Paetongtarn remains in the cabinet because in Monday's royal approval of her new cabinet she was given the dual role of minister for culture. The royal command was published on Tuesday morning. The petition, initiated by 36 senators, asked the court to investigate a leaked audio recording of a phone conversation between Ms Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, and sought her suspension pending the court's ruling. In the conversation Ms Paetongtarn was heard making derogatory remarks about the commander of the 2nd Army Region, branding him an adversary, as well as showing a submissive tone towards Hun Sen, with her signalling a readiness to comply with the Cambodian strongman's demands. The 2nd Army supervises the border with Cambodia from Sae Kaeo to Ubon Ratchathani that includes the four contested areas at the centre of the current dispute between the two countries. She stands accused of lacking qualifications and integrity under Sections 160 (4) and (5) of the constitution. The complaint also alleges that she lacks honesty and engages in conduct that constitutes a grave breach of ethical standards.
