Bangkok: Nantana Nantvaropas, a member of the Senate, has criticized the Thai government’s communication strategy regarding the Thai-Cambodian issue, stating it is consistently one step behind Cambodia.

According to Thai News Agency, Nantana pointed out that the government’s communication has exacerbated the crisis, primarily due to the lack of unified messaging. She highlighted the need for a border situation management center to ensure coordinated communication.

Nantana expressed concern over the Thai government’s slow and inefficient communication process, which became evident during the JBC negotiations. She noted the confusion caused by conflicting statements from different government entities, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Minister of Defense, and the military, alongside the Prime Minister’s social media posts. This disjointed communication has led to disarray among the Thai public, who are unsure where to turn for official information. Nantana suggested that a centralized command center, led by the government, should be established to streamline communication and avoid misinformation.

She emphasized that the military’s statements, although providing some reassurance, should be part of a unified communication strategy led by the government. Nantana has been advocating for the establishment of a “war room” from the start, where all relevant parties can collaborate and appoint a single spokesperson to maintain consistency in messaging.

Nantana also criticized the delay in communication following important meetings, citing an example where the JBC meeting concluded at 3 p.m., but the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not issue a statement until 9 p.m. This delay, she argued, allowed Cambodia to maintain a communication advantage. She urged Thai authorities to adjust their communication approach to match Cambodia’s more direct and military-focused messaging, as the current diplomatic language used by Thailand fails to convey the situation effectively.

Furthermore, Nantana pointed out that the Prime Minister’s use of social media for communication has not provided the clarity and assurance needed during this crisis. She suggested that the Prime Minister should communicate through formal channels and mainstream media with a clearly written script to instill confidence in the public.

Finally, Nantana stressed the importance of proactive communication with the international community. She noted that while Cambodia has been actively engaging with international bodies like the International Court of Justice, Thailand has been slow to act. Nantana called for an urgent meeting of ambassadors in Thailand to clarify Thailand’s stance and to communicate with the United Nations Security Council to ensure international support. She advocated for a thorough and formal communication strategy to prevent the spread of rumors and to align the international community with Thailand’s position.