Bangkok: ‘Phumtham’ reiterates not to abandon southern border problems, even though the Thai-Cambodian conflict must be resolved urgently. He believes that the 4th Army Region Commander and the 9th Provincial Police Region Commander will cooperate to solve the problem fully after finding a disturbing bomb. He also pointed out that the peace talks are underway.

According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, addressed the situation in the southern border provinces, noting that incidents had paused during the Thai-Cambodian border tensions. However, once the border situation was resolved, issues in the southern region resurfaced.

Recent findings indicate that the bombs discovered in the past couple of days were sound bombs, lacking shrapnel, and intended to cause chaos rather than harm. The 4th Army Commander is actively monitoring the situation, which unfolded during the Muslim festival of Hari Raya, in areas where no physical harm occurred.

Mr. Phumtham expressed confidence in the collaborative efforts of the 4th Army Commander and the 9th Provincial Police Commander. He affirmed his commitment as Minister of Defense to address every issue, underscoring his duty to manage all problems effectively.

He highlighted his previous visits to the affected areas to gather insights from military and police personnel working directly on the ground. While the immediate focus is on resolving the situation related to another foreign conflict, Mr. Phumtham assured that responsible parties are already engaging in peace talks. He emphasized his unwavering commitment to the situation, ensuring that there is no cause for concern.

Additionally, Mr. Phumtham commented on the improving situation at the Thai-Cambodian border, attributing progress to media efforts urging the public to remain calm. He noted that while a defensive response could be ordered, avoiding loss of life and property remains the priority, a goal that has been partially achieved.