(Bangkok/Phnom Penh) - The governments of two provinces bordering Thailand and Cambodia are drafting evacuation plans for border villages in preparation for the escalation of the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. The Thai military leadership and civilians took the opportunity of the long holiday to visit the front lines and encourage the stationed troops.
The Thai Ministry of the Interior confirmed on Tuesday (June 3) that the governors of Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket provinces have held high-level meetings to prepare for the evacuation of border villagers should the Thai-Cambodian tension further escalate. Interior Ministry spokesperson Dersuli said that Interior Minister Anutin has instructed the provincial governors of the border regions to strengthen security measures in local communities. He stated that Anutin emphasized that protecting civilian lives must be the top priority when tensions in the border areas intensify and further conflict might occur.
Ubon Ratchathani Governor Adisa held a meeting on Monday (June 2) to develop evacuation procedures for the residents of Nam Yuen district. Nam Yuen district includes the Choam area where clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops occurred last week.
Si Sa Ket Governor Anubong also held a meeting to formulate an evacuation plan for Kantharalak district. Another hotspot of sovereignty dispute, Preah Vihear Temple, is located in Kantharalak district.
On May 28, Thai and Cambodian troops engaged in a gunfight in the Choam area, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. Thailand and Cambodia have long-standing border sovereignty disputes, and aside from Choam, they have previously disputed over the sovereignty of the Ta Muen Thom Temple, Ta Muen Toch Temple, and Ta Krabey Temple. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated on Sunday (June 1) that Phnom Penh will apply to the International Court of Justice in The Hague seeking a complete resolution of the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. The Thai military has rejected this proposal.
Before visiting Ubon Ratchathani on Tuesday, Thai Second Army Region commander Wensin encouraged the stationed troops. Since the Thai government rejected the military's suggestion to temporarily close Thai-Cambodian border crossings, Wensin has reinforced the guard duties at Thai-Cambodian border outposts. He disclosed to the media on Monday that the government had instructed him to exercise maximum restraint when dealing with Cambodian troops to avoid using force.
A large number of Thais visited another disputed site, Ta Muen Thom Temple, to support the Thai military. Last weekend coincided with a four-day Thai holiday, leading many Thais to visit Ta Muen Thom Temple in Surin province. Many took photos with soldiers, and some brought food and beverages to reward the soldiers.
According to Cambodian online media Fresh News, the Cambodian military intercepted a drone in the border area on Monday, initially suspected to be dispatched by the Thai military for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering on the Cambodian side.
However, the Thai military denied dispatching drones into Cambodian territory. Thai Royal Army spokesperson Win Thai stated that they do not need drones for reconnaissance tasks as they can obtain information on Cambodian troop movements through social media and online resources.
According to an analysis by Thailand's 'Nation' newspaper, the court hearing concerning former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin to avoid prison by staying in a hospital will begin on June 13. It is expected that tensions on the Thai-Cambodian border will continuously escalate as related parties might aim to divert attention.
If the court's ruling is unfavorable to Thaksin, the disputes in the Choam area may spill over into other provinces such as Sa Kaeo and Si Sa Ket. Analysts suggest this move might be intentional to divert public attention from domestic politics, shifting focus to the Thai-Cambodian military standoff.
Thaksin's close personal relationship with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen adds more complexity to the current situation. After fleeing overseas in 2006, Thaksin accepted Hun Sen's invitation to visit Cambodia. Hun Sen described Thaksin as a 'forever friend.'
Observers believe that no matter the ruling by the Thai court on Thaksin, Cambodia will benefit either diplomatically or strategically, while Thailand may face the risk of loss under the pressure of overlapping family and political interests.
The Thai Ministry of the Interior confirmed on Tuesday (June 3) that the governors of Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket provinces have held high-level meetings to prepare for the evacuation of border villagers should the Thai-Cambodian tension further escalate. Interior Ministry spokesperson Dersuli said that Interior Minister Anutin has instructed the provincial governors of the border regions to strengthen security measures in local communities. He stated that Anutin emphasized that protecting civilian lives must be the top priority when tensions in the border areas intensify and further conflict might occur.
Ubon Ratchathani Governor Adisa held a meeting on Monday (June 2) to develop evacuation procedures for the residents of Nam Yuen district. Nam Yuen district includes the Choam area where clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops occurred last week.
Si Sa Ket Governor Anubong also held a meeting to formulate an evacuation plan for Kantharalak district. Another hotspot of sovereignty dispute, Preah Vihear Temple, is located in Kantharalak district.
On May 28, Thai and Cambodian troops engaged in a gunfight in the Choam area, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. Thailand and Cambodia have long-standing border sovereignty disputes, and aside from Choam, they have previously disputed over the sovereignty of the Ta Muen Thom Temple, Ta Muen Toch Temple, and Ta Krabey Temple. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet stated on Sunday (June 1) that Phnom Penh will apply to the International Court of Justice in The Hague seeking a complete resolution of the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. The Thai military has rejected this proposal.
Before visiting Ubon Ratchathani on Tuesday, Thai Second Army Region commander Wensin encouraged the stationed troops. Since the Thai government rejected the military's suggestion to temporarily close Thai-Cambodian border crossings, Wensin has reinforced the guard duties at Thai-Cambodian border outposts. He disclosed to the media on Monday that the government had instructed him to exercise maximum restraint when dealing with Cambodian troops to avoid using force.
A large number of Thais visited another disputed site, Ta Muen Thom Temple, to support the Thai military. Last weekend coincided with a four-day Thai holiday, leading many Thais to visit Ta Muen Thom Temple in Surin province. Many took photos with soldiers, and some brought food and beverages to reward the soldiers.
According to Cambodian online media Fresh News, the Cambodian military intercepted a drone in the border area on Monday, initially suspected to be dispatched by the Thai military for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering on the Cambodian side.
However, the Thai military denied dispatching drones into Cambodian territory. Thai Royal Army spokesperson Win Thai stated that they do not need drones for reconnaissance tasks as they can obtain information on Cambodian troop movements through social media and online resources.
According to an analysis by Thailand's 'Nation' newspaper, the court hearing concerning former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin to avoid prison by staying in a hospital will begin on June 13. It is expected that tensions on the Thai-Cambodian border will continuously escalate as related parties might aim to divert attention.
If the court's ruling is unfavorable to Thaksin, the disputes in the Choam area may spill over into other provinces such as Sa Kaeo and Si Sa Ket. Analysts suggest this move might be intentional to divert public attention from domestic politics, shifting focus to the Thai-Cambodian military standoff.
Thaksin's close personal relationship with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen adds more complexity to the current situation. After fleeing overseas in 2006, Thaksin accepted Hun Sen's invitation to visit Cambodia. Hun Sen described Thaksin as a 'forever friend.'
Observers believe that no matter the ruling by the Thai court on Thaksin, Cambodia will benefit either diplomatically or strategically, while Thailand may face the risk of loss under the pressure of overlapping family and political interests.