Bangkok: "Phumtham" reveals that the NSC meeting still strictly controls border measures with Cambodia, but does not increase measures. He believes that the situation will improve. Violence is the last thing to solve the problem. Mr. Phumtham Vejjayachai, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, said after the National Security Council (NSC) meeting that today there was a review of various measures to take care of the entire border area. He also confirmed that the Thai-Cambodian border problem will still use the original measures because they are measures that can still be used. He also confirmed that he will use peaceful means and try to avoid impacts and not let the people on both sides suffer. In addition, there are measures to support negotiations from both sides.
According to Thai News Agency, as for the closure of the Red Cross, it is still in the first and second stages, which are limiting the time of entry and exit and allowing individuals to enter. Any measures that Cambodia announces, especially the closure of various checkpoints, are considered cause and effect by Cambodia. However, Thailand still insists on its sincerity in solving the problem.
Most of the seal stop safe measures would like to go back and review that what has been implemented for 3-4 months, to quickly evaluate whether the measures to cut off water and electricity still need to be maintained or not because at present the border areas that were originally problematic are starting to decrease, but there are still some parts that go deeper than that, so we have to see how to handle it, by assigning a small group to consider the implementation.
Regarding the proposal by the governor of Sa Kaeo to cancel the anniversary event of the establishment of Thai-Cambodian relations, Mr. Phumtham said that this matter has not yet been proposed to the NCPO meeting because he thinks that the measures currently being implemented by Thailand want to demonstrate its sincerity in solving the problem and maintain its position of trying to seek cooperation in solving the problem to reach the point in 2024. As for any changes in measures and any impacts, it is ready to proceed according to the situation and wants violence to be the last thing that will occur in solving the problem. If asked if he is ready, he confirmed that he is ready, but does not want to cause any loss of people from both sides.
As for the case where the Second Army Commander stated that the Thai-Cambodian border situation will end before his retirement in September, is it considered to be showing signs of improvement? Mr. Phumtham confirmed that he had assessed and received news and thought that the signs of improvement would be seen. Therefore, the government is being careful in using various measures that will not escalate the situation and thinks that it must be patient. He also confirmed that the country's independence and sovereignty and national interests must be preserved. Everything is being done according to international standards and he has already explained and confirmed everything for all countries to be aware of.
Mr. Phumtham emphasized that the most important thing at this time is to solve the scammer problem by assigning relevant parties to set up a hub to take care of and prevent scammers in Thailand, with Thailand as the host in coordinating.