BANGKOK, Thailand – Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit visited Ban Sam Lang and Ban Nong Ree in Chamrak Subdistrict, Mueang Trat District, to follow up on operations conducted by the Trat Marine Task Force and to inspect personnel deployed in the area. The locations had been secured by the Marine unit and designated as the Taksin Phichit Phairi Operational Base.
During the visit, the Defense Minister received briefings on the operational situation from the Commander of the Trat Marine Task Force, together with senior Marine Corps leadership, the Commander responsible for border defense in Chanthaburi and Trat provinces, the Governor of Trat Province, and military personnel stationed in the area.
Addressing Marine personnel, the Defense Minister noted that the Thai–Cambodian border extends approximately 798 kilometers, making comprehensive troop deployment along the entire border impractical. He said border management requires a combination of measures, such as installing boundary fencing with surveillance cameras, deploying forces at sensitive points, and constructing permanent fencing where feasible. He added that preliminary discussions had been held with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment regarding the possible use of certain border areas by military veterans for livelihood purposes, and that the ministry indicated its readiness to support the approach. Another option under consideration is the future development of selected areas as educational tourism sites.
After the inspection, the Defense Minister and officials joined several hundred Trat Province residents in paying respect to the national flag at 6.00 p.m. at the Taksin Phichit Pairi Operational Base. He also greeted residents who came to participate in the activity. (NNT)
