Bangkok: “Big Lek,” formally known as Gen. Nattapol Nakphanich, Deputy Minister of Defense and leader of Team Thailand, has initiated daily meetings with the Thailand team to address the ongoing situation at the Thai-Cambodian border. He acknowledged the request for an indefinite postponement of the Regional Border Conference (RBC) aimed at addressing tensions with Cambodia and emphasized Thailand’s commitment to peaceful resolution methods. The meetings are primarily focused on managing short-term incidents and supporting long-term bilateral negotiations, including processes related to the International Court of Justice.
According to Thai News Agency, Gen. Nattapol indicated that the special border management meeting, opened under his leadership, seeks to integrate efforts and provide recommendations for handling both immediate and future challenges. These meetings are scheduled from Monday to Friday, with the exception of Tuesdays, and are broadcast live to ensure transparency and direct communication with the public. Gen. Nattapol assured that any necessary approvals would be expedited through the National Security Council and, if needed, forwarded to the Prime Minister for immediate action.
The RBC, initially set for June 27-28, was postponed at Cambodia’s request, with no reason provided. Gen. Nattapol clarified that discussions between Thailand and Cambodia occur at multiple levels, and the Thailand team supports these dialogues through various channels. Miscommunications have been attributed to the freedom of information dissemination, leading to some confusion on the Cambodian side. Gen. Nattapol stressed the need for official channels to prevent misunderstandings.
Recent restrictions imposed by the Burapha Force have prohibited Thai workers from crossing into Cambodian casinos, reflecting rising tensions. Gen. Nattapol noted that some border areas have been closed in retaliation, affecting the transport of goods between the two countries. Despite these tensions, Thailand’s approach remains peaceful, focusing on maintaining diplomatic relations and ensuring minimal impact on the local population.
Regarding the power issues at the Klong Luek border checkpoint, Gen. Nattapol confirmed that Thailand was not responsible for cutting electricity, which has been replaced by Vietnamese power lines on the Cambodian side. He reiterated that Thailand’s policy eschews retaliatory measures, emphasizing the need for a peaceful approach as guided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Responding to inquiries about political asylum and military posturing, Gen. Nattapol acknowledged the complexities of the situation but refrained from speculative commentary. He concluded the press conference by advocating for a collaborative platform involving media and academics to harmonize differing opinions and facilitate a unified approach to resolving border issues.