Latest news with #Natthapon
The Star
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thai-Cambodian border measures to remain unchanged: Phumtham
BANGKOK: Interior Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (pic) stated on Friday (July 4) that the measures at the Thai-Cambodian border will remain unchanged, with no easing of border crossings. Phumtham made this statement following a National Security Council (NSC) meeting, where Deputy Defence Minister Gen Natthapon Nakpanich reported on the situation at the Thai-Cambodian border. He summarised that tensions remain high, and as a result, the existing measures will stay in place. The NSC acknowledged and expressed gratitude to the Ad Hoc Centre for Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation for its ongoing efforts. Phumtham added that Natthapon had been appointed to find a resolution to the issue. When asked whether discussions had included the possibility of relaxing border measures, Phumtham confirmed that no such talks had taken place, reiterating that no decision had been made about opening the border gates. "Natthapon is already the government's representative in the Thailand team, so from now on, any discussions on finding a solution will continue until we reach a decision on how to proceed," he said. He also clarified that the final decision on resolving the Thai-Cambodia border tensions and whether to open or close border crossings will still need to be presented to the NSC for further consideration. Phumtham also addressed the appearance of a video on the "Army Military Force - สำรอง" page, which showed Cambodian soldiers armed with machine guns attempting to encroach on Thai territory. The incident reportedly led to a verbal altercation when Thai rangers intervened, though no conflict ensued. Phumtham stated that he had not seen the video and was not aware of the situation, adding that no official report had been submitted regarding the incident. When asked whether this issue was raised at the NSC meeting, Phumtham did not respond and promptly left for his vehicle. - The Nation/ANN
Bangkok Post
02-07-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Army: Google doesn't decide who owns disputed ruins in Surin
A Thai army spokesman on Wednesday reasserted Thailand's historical claim to sovereignty over the disputed Ta Muean Thom temple ruins in Surin, on the border with Cambodia. Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said the Royal Thai Army (RTA) had no legal obligation to go along with Google's decision to mark Ta Muean Thom as being on Cambodian soil. Many sites marked by Google Earth and Google Map apps were inaccurate and their data had no legal standing at either national or international levels. Maj Gen Winthai said Thailand had always demonstrated its sovereignty over Ta Muean Thom, which was in Phanom Dong Rak district of the northeastern province of Surin. This was based on geographical evidence and the area being historically administered by the Thai government, the army spokesman said. The RTA said recently on its Facebook page that Ta Muean Thom temple had been registered as an archaeological site within Thailand in 1935, in accordance with the borderline based on the drainage divide in the area. This was nearly two decades before Cambodia got its independence from France in 1953, the RTA said. The Fine Arts Department had renovated the temple ruins and the Cambodian government had acknowledged this work by the Thai government department. In addition, the Tourism Authority of Thailand had built a road for visitors to conveniently visit the site, and ancient objects from the site were exhibited at the Surin National Museum in Surin province, the RTA said. The Ta Muean Thom temple ruins site is one of the four disputed border areas Cambodia has claimed in its recent petition seeking a ruling by the International Court of Justice. Thaliand does not acknowledge the court's authority. On Wednesday Deputy Defence Minister Gen Natthapon Nakpanich, who is acting defence minister, said the Ministry of Defence hoped Cambodia would discuss bilateral border issues with Thailand at the next meeting of the Joint Border Committee, which Thai and Cambodian defence ministers co-chair. Gen Natthapon said there was a positive sign. Cambodian officials had decided to resume informal talks with their Thai counterparts, although some conditions had yet to be settled. Gen Natthapon said Thailand did not close its border with Cambodia. it only limited border opening hours. Cambodia had closed the border with Thailand, he said.
