BANGKOK, Thailand – The Ad Hoc Centre for Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, or “Team Thailand,” continues its operations without interruption during the cabinet reshuffle, now empowered to adjust border measures according to security assessments.
Security Affairs Spokesperson for the Ad Hoc Centre, Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, confirmed the center’s functions are unaffected.
Following its meeting on June 27th, the National Security Council (NSC) approved four security measures. These measures acknowledge the center’s success in controlling the border area. They also formalize procedures for managing the movement of people, vehicles, and goods.
Crucially, the council has authorized the center to be the primary body for escalating or easing these border control measures. This allows for flexible responses appropriate to the evolving security situation along the Thai-Cambodian border.
Efforts to assist affected citizens are also underway. In Trat province, a “Shop and Chill” event is being held until this Friday at the provincial hall to promote local products. Similarly, Sa Kaeo province is hosting a market for agricultural goods until this Friday at the Dok Kaeo Market near its provincial hall.
Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maratee Nalita Andamo stated that border crossing management remains orderly. Ms. Maratee clarified that Thailand has not closed checkpoints. Instead, it has increased the stringency of checks for citizens of both nations, with allowances made for humanitarian reasons.
Thailand remains committed to resolving border tensions through existing bilateral mechanisms. These include the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), which is scheduled to meet in September. Other channels like the General Border Committee (GBC) and the Regional Border Committee (RBC) will also continue to be utilized.
Deputy Minister of Defence General Nattaphon Narkphanit, described the overall border situation as stable. He noted that the government is using all levels of the military to conduct informal talks with Cambodia to facilitate formal bilateral negotiations.
General Natthaphon expressed hope in the GBC mechanism, which is chaired by the Minister of Defence. He assured that there will be no power vacuum in the ministry’s absence and that positive signals are emerging from ongoing discussions with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. (NNT)
