Latest news with #SecondArmyArea
The Star
12 hours ago
- The Star
18 Cambodian troops surrender in Si Sa Ket border clash
BANGKOK: Eighteen Cambodian soldiers surrendered to Thai forces on Tuesday (July 29) morning after their position inside Thai territory in Si Sa Ket's Kanthalak district was overrun, according to Royal Thai Army (RTA) spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree. Winthai said the Second Army Area reported that the troops surrendered at a clash point in the Sam Te area of Kanthalak district. The surrender followed an incident in which Cambodian troops fired artillery and projectile weapons from a position near the border into Thai territory. In response, the Second Army Area deployed a cavalry battalion taskforce to repel the assault. The Thai cavalry battalion successfully overran the Cambodian position and encountered 18 soldiers who surrendered without resistance. 'Thai troops disarmed the soldiers and treated them strictly in accordance with international humanitarian principles,' Winthai said. The group of 18 included: 1 captain 2 sergeant majors (2nd class) 12 sergeants 2 corporals 1 private first class One soldier was injured with bullet wounds to his right hip and left arm. He was taken to hospital for medical treatment. Thai troops also found the bodies of two Cambodian soldiers at the scene. The captured troops are being held in a secure area under the jurisdiction of the Second Army Area, where they are being provided with basic necessities, including clothing, food, drinking water, and medical care—all in line with international military and humanitarian practices, Winthai said. He added that the Second Army Area would handle the surrendering troops in accordance with official procedures, and that the two bodies would be returned to Cambodia with full respect and in line with international protocols. 'The RTA strictly adheres to human rights, international law, and Thailand's commitments under the Geneva Conventions regarding the treatment of captured soldiers and the handling of the deceased,' Winthai said. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand's Second Army Area chief insists troops fully armed to defend borders
UBON RATCHATHANI, Thailand: The chief of the Second Army Area, Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, assured on Wednesday (July 9) that Thai troops are fully armed to defend the nation's borders against incursions by Cambodian forces at disputed areas. However, he expressed hope that the two governments would resolve their border conflicts peacefully. Speaking to reporters during his visit to the troops stationed in Ubon Ratchathani's Nam Yuen district, Lt Gen Boonsin stressed that Thailand's armed forces are well-equipped to defend their territorial integrity. He added that despite the tensions, he hoped that both governments would find a peaceful resolution to avoid further conflict. When asked about his message to Cambodian leaders, particularly Prime Minister Hun Manet and former Prime Minister Hun Sen, Boonsin conveyed his hopes for their health and well-being. He reiterated his belief that the two governments should work together for peace and stability in the region. "I still want the two governments to resolve the border conflicts for the sake of peace and happiness of both peoples," he added. Boonsin also addressed recent reports suggesting that the Royal Thai Army had sought ammunition support from the Joint United States Military Advisory Group. He categorically denied these claims, stating, "I affirm that we have enough ammunition to defend the country. Our guns are fully loaded." The Second Army Area chief dismissed concerns that political instability in Thailand would affect the military's ability to defend the borders. He reassured the public that the armed forces are always ready to serve the country's leadership, regardless of who holds office. Following the border skirmish near the Chong Bok Pass on May 28, Boonsin confirmed that security measures have been strengthened along the border. He noted that the situation has improved but added that further progress depends on decisions made by Cambodia's leadership. Boonsin also addressed the ongoing dispute over three archaeological sites – Prasat Ta Muen Thom, Prasat Ta Khwai, and Prasat Ta Muen Tot – as well as the Emerald Triangle border area. Cambodia has requested the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule that these areas belong to Cambodia. "If no policies are changed, Thai troops will remain protecting these areas," Boonsin said. Regarding the rebuilding of a border fence at Prasat Ta Muen Thom, Boonsin emphasized that such a decision would require an agreement from both governments to prevent further conflicts. He stated that he is ready to meet with his Cambodian counterpart at any time to discuss the border situatoin. "We're waiting for a reply from Cambodia. If they agree to join a meeting today or tomorrow, I'll be ready," Boonsin concluded. - The Nation/ANN
United News of India
01-07-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Thailand court suspends PM Shinawatra over suspected breach of Constitution
Bangkok, July 1 (UNI) Thailand's constitutional court has officially accepted a petition against Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra over suspected breach of the Constitution and ruled to suspend her from duty, pending an investigation over a leaked phone call with a former Cambodian leader, reports Nation Thailand. The judges voted unanimously on Tuesday to take the petition accusing her of a breach of ethics and voted seven to two to suspend her from duty. Paetongtarn has faced growing dissatisfaction in the country over her handling of Thailand's latest border dispute with Cambodia, involving an armed confrontation on May 28 in which one Cambodian soldier was killed. The group of senators asked the court to remove Paetongtarn as Prime Minister on charges of sedition that allegedly affected the country's sovereignty, as she was heard attacking the commander of the Second Army Area as 'the opponent' during a phone conversation with former Cambodian PM Hun Sen. The recorded clip of her conversation was later leaked to social media. She came under severe criticism for allegedly trying to please the Cambodian strongman amid border tensions, while the Second Army Area was attempting to take a tougher stance to defend Thailand's territories. The leaked phone call, while she engaged in diplomacy over the border dispute, set off a string of complaints and public protests. Additionally, the Thai PM also faces investigations over an alleged breach of ethics by the Office of the National Anti-Corruption Commission, whose decision could also lead to her removal. Earlier on Tuesday, Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn had also endorsed a cabinet reshuffle forced when a major party left Paetongtarn's coalition government over the leaked phone call.
The Star
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Chong Sai Taku crossing closed after provocative act by Cambodian tourists: Thai 2nd Army chief
BANGKOK: Thailand shuts Chong Sai Taku crossing after Cambodians filmed singing national anthem at disputed temple, says 2nd Army chief. The Second Army Area commander said on Sunday (June 22) that he had ordered the closure of the Chong Sai Taku border crossing due to a provocative act by a group of Cambodian tourists at an ancient Khmer temple in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district. Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the Second Army Area, said he closed the Chong Sai Taku crossing in Changthop Phet subdistrict, Ban Kruat district of Buri Ram, on Saturday after around 30 Cambodian tourists crossed the border to visit Prasat Ta Krabey and recorded a video of themselves singing the Cambodian national anthem. Boonsin said Thai troops stationed at the temple responded with 'polite and appropriate' measures to stop what he described as a provocative act by the Cambodian group. Following the incident, Boonsin ordered the immediate closure of the Chong Sai Taku crossing, citing concerns that further provocations could inflame tensions and potentially lead to violence against locals. - Photo: The Nation/ANN Although Thailand has repeatedly affirmed that Prasat Ta Krabey lies within Thai territory, Cambodia has laid claim to the site. The temple is one of four locations Cambodia has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to rule in its favour. In response to the ICJ case, Thailand announced it did not recognise the court's jurisdiction and implemented a series of countermeasures, including reducing the opening hours of all border crossings with Cambodia. The closure of Chong Sai Taku came shortly after Cambodia closed the Chong An Ma crossing on Thursday morning. Previously, Chong Sai Taku was open seven days a week, but the Second Army Area had already limited operations to just three days a week—Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday—following a border skirmish at the Chong Bok pass in Ubon Ratchathani on May 28. Cambodia has also retaliated by closing its Choub Korki and Choam checkpoints. - The Nation/ANN
Yahoo
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Leaked call between Thai PM and Cambodia 'strongman' stokes fresh tensions
By Panarat Thepgumpanat and Chantha Lach BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH (Reuters) -Relations between Thailand and Cambodia suffered a major blow on Wednesday after a leak of a telephone conversation between Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and influential former Cambodian premier Hun Sen that could further escalate tensions. Ties between the two neighbours are at their worst in more than a decade after a row over border territory that has sparked fears of a military confrontation following a sharp rise in nationalist rhetoric and the mobilisation of troops on both sides of their frontier. The leaked June 15 phone call, which has been confirmed as authentic by both Hun Sen and Paetongtarn, shows the Thai premier telling Hun Sen, whom she called uncle, that she is under domestic pressure and urging him not to listen to "the opposite side" which includes a prominent Thai military commander at the border. "He just want to look cool and saying things that are not useful to the nation, but in truth what we want is peace," she told Hun Sen through a translator in the leaked audio clip, referring to the general. Paetongtarn later told reporters her conversation with Hun Sen was part of a negotiation tactic and she has no problem with the Thai army. "I won't be talking privately with him (Hun Sen) anymore because there is a trust problem," she said. Hun Sen said the leak came from one of the 80 politicians he shared the audio recording with. Self-styled strongman Hun Sen was Cambodia's premier for nearly four decades and has maintained a high public profile since handing over power in 2023 to his son, Prime Minister Hun Manet. The two governments had until recently enjoyed warm ties, helped by the close relationship between Hun Sen and Thailand's former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn's influential father. Both former leaders are still active in politics. FIERCE RHETORIC The leak could put that relationship in jeopardy and will add to speculation in Thailand that Paetongtarn and the powerful Thai military are at odds on how to respond to the border crisis with Cambodia. Cambodia's rhetoric has become more fierce in the past week, with Hun Sen blaming Thai "extremists" and the Thai army for stoking tensions, saying Paetongtarn's government was "unable to control its military the way our country can". The billionaire Shinawatra family has a troubled history with the army, with two of its governments ousted by generals in coups in 2006 and 2014. Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, commander of Thailand's Second Army Area overseeing the eastern border, on Wednesday told local media that Paetongtarn had called him to explain the leak. "I don't have any issue, I understand," Boonsin said. The weeks-long standoff followed a brief border skirmish on May 28 that left a Cambodian soldier dead. Both countries have called for calm while vowing to defend their sovereignty over contested stretches of a 820-km (510-mile) land border, parts of which are undemarcated. Attempts to settle the issue have failed, with Cambodia on Sunday delivering on its vow to seek resolution at the International Court of Justice, the jurisdiction of which Thailand says it does not recognise. On Wednesday, Cambodia's defence ministry said Thailand had again violated its sovereignty with drone flights, trench digging and troop deployments, which Bangkok rejected. Thousands of Cambodians joined a state-organised march in the capital Phnom Penh on Wednesday to support the government, shouting slogans, waving national flags and holding portraits of Hun Manet and Hun Sen. "Cambodia's land! We won't take others' land, we keep our land!" some chanted.
