SURIN, Thailand – Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Phumtham Wechayachai chaired a meeting on August 9 with the governors of Surin, Sisaket, Buri Ram, and Ubon Ratchathani to assess the Thailand–Cambodia border situation. Held at Rajamangala University of Technology Isan’s Surin campus, the session included senior officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Interior, the Prime Minister’s Office, and the Public Relations Department. Deputy Interior Minister Theerarat Samrejvanich joined via video conference from Ubon Ratchathani.
Phumtham said recent talks between Thailand and Cambodia at the General Border Committee meeting in Malaysia produced an immediate ceasefire agreement. ASEAN will serve as a witness, with the United States and China observing conditions on the ground. Displaced residents will be allowed to return once the military confirms that all areas are secure. He acknowledged the efforts of multiple agencies in maintaining stability, providing relief, and ensuring clear communication.
The Deputy Premier issued five directives for provincial governors. These cover facilitating the safe return of displaced residents with central government support, assessing housing and utilities before reoccupation, and coordinating home repairs. Electricity and water fees for affected households and evacuation centers will be waived for July and August. He also called for surveys on livelihoods and public health for both civilians and personnel deployed in the area.
Relief distribution, he said, must be timely, thorough, and carried out with compassion. Support should also extend to all personnel engaged in operations, including military, police, border patrol units, and volunteers, whose work protects both the public and the country’s sovereignty.
The meeting also approved payments for Village Security Volunteers in high-risk border areas. Volunteers working six to twelve hours a day will receive 120 baht, and those working more than twelve hours will receive 240 baht. The program allocates about 117 million baht to support 32,740 volunteers to boost their morale in safeguarding border communities. (NNT)
