BANGKOK, Thailand – On July 4, Deputy Defense Minister General Natthaphon Nakphanit addressed rising tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, revealing that although frontline troops have pulled back, large numbers of Cambodian forces, along with heavy weapons such as tanks and artillery, remain positioned near the boundary. He warned that even a minor misunderstanding could lead to a severe escalation, potentially surpassing the 2011 Preah Vihear clashes in terms of destruction and casualties due to the more advanced weaponry both sides now possess.
General Natthaphon said the current tension stems from actions by Cambodia’s leadership, characterizing it as the result of individual decisions that should not affect civilians. He emphasized that Thai forces have had to bolster their presence to protect national sovereignty, citing credible intelligence that Cambodia has been actively redeploying troops along the border.
He acknowledged that the Thai government has been placed at a disadvantage due to the leaked audio clip involving Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, stating: “We’ve reached a point where most people see that we are now at a disadvantage. The leaked audio clip clearly shows how we’ve been outmaneuvered.”
