Govt extols its relief package for locals
Chanin Rungthanakiat, secretary to the interior minister and deputy spokesman for the Pheu Thai Party, said the government is now focusing on relief measures as the fighting along the border has eased. On Saturday, acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai arrived in Surin to visit shelters for displaced residents. He also met governors from Surin, Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, and Buri Ram to discuss the latest developments along the border.
Mr Chanin on Sunday said Mr Phumtham instructed the governors to enable the return of displaced residents, carry out urgent damage assessment and repairs, help bring down the cost of living, survey affected communities to determine their needs and fairly compensate security volunteers. The Transport Ministry will help provide additional transport, while the Public Health Ministry will arrange ambulances to transport patients and the elderly, said Mr Chanin.
The Department of Local Administration has also been instructed to carry out damage inspections to expedite the distribution of compensation. The governors, he said, have also been ordered to work with state agencies, including the military, vocational colleges, and the Department of Public Works to carry out urgent repairs using advance funds.
A cabinet resolution will also be sought to exempt residents in risk areas from paying electricity and water bills for two months (July–August), he said. Meanwhile, the Public Health Ministry will assess locals' health needs, covering residents and frontline personnel including soldiers, police, border patrols, volunteers, and officials, he said.
With regards to compensation for volunteers, cabinet approval will be sought to grant daily allowances of 120–240 baht for Village Security Units and other personnel who assisted during evacuations, Mr Chanin said.
Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub, in his capacity as a member of the Thai-Cambodian Border Situation Operations Committee, said no clashes occurred along the border from late Saturday to early on Sunday. However, the day before, three Thai soldiers were injured by a landmine while on patrol in Si Sa Ket. The incident occurred in Thai territory, suggesting Cambodian forces had planted mines prior to the ceasefire, a violation of the Ottawa Treaty.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bangkok Post
an hour ago
- Bangkok Post
Thai PM Paetongtarn submits defence over leaked recording
Suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has submitted her defence to the Constitutional Court, in which she claimed the remarks she made in the leaked recording of her conversation with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen were part of her negotiating technique -- not an improper offer of favours. In the written clarification submitted to the court, she addressed a particularly contentious remark from the audio clip, in which she said: "If there's anything you want, just let me know -- I'll take care of it." Ms Paetongtarn argued that her remark was intended solely to encourage the other side to articulate their conditions or expectations first, which she said was a key principle of negotiation. She explained that the phrase was used as part of an interest-based negotiation approach, which was aimed at uncovering the needs of the other party without directly challenging their position. "The intention was to open space for mutual understanding by identifying true interests behind the other side's stance," she stated, "so that these could be used as a basis for further negotiations to de-escalate tensions." Ms Paetongtarn insisted she had no intention of accepting or acting on every proposal made during the conversation. She cited a specific instance in which Hun Sen suggested that if Thailand opens its border checkpoint first, Cambodia would follow within five hours. "In response, I proposed that both sides reopen the border simultaneously," she said, adding that Hun Sen neither acknowledged nor agreed to the revised condition. Likewise, she said, she did not accept the original proposal made by the Cambodian side. She emphasised that any offer or condition presented by Cambodia must be deliberated by Thailand's national security agencies before a deal could be struck. Ms Paetongtarn also addressed her remarks concerning Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the Second Army Region, which critics say portrayed him as an adversary. She explained that her comments followed an attempt by Hun Sen's aide called Huot to justify Cambodia's decision to close the border checkpoint. According to her account, Mr Huot claimed that the order stemmed from Hun Sen's dissatisfaction with the Second Army Region commander. "I was therefore compelled to employ a negotiation technique that separates the problem from the individual," Ms Paetongtarn said in the statement. "It was not a criticism or a suggestion that the commander was in opposition to the Thai government." She stressed that her explanation to the Cambodian side aimed to foster understanding and signal the Thai administration's intention to preserve peace, rather than to concede or favour any party. "My conduct was grounded in diplomatic principles aimed at maintaining national stability and preventing the escalation of conflict," she added. Ms Paetongtarn further informed the Constitutional Court that, following the leak of the recording, she had personally offered an explanation and issued an apology to the commander of the Second Army Region. She added that the commander had publicly affirmed he took no offence at her remarks and held no grievances over the matter. He also confirmed that there is no conflict between the prime minister and the Second Army Region, and that the issue had no impact on the operational duties of the armed forces, Ms Paetongtarn said. The Constitutional Court will deliver its ruling on the case on Aug 29. The court's judges will determine whether the conversation constitutes a serious breach of ethics under the constitution. When asked if the premier will attend the witness hearing on Aug 21, Ms Paetongtarn told the media that her birthday falls on Aug 21. When asked by reporters if she would stay until the very last moment as prime minister, Ms Paetongtarn did not answer.
Bangkok Post
5 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Italy Awards Top Honours to Khunying Patama and Dr Somsak
Italy has bestowed two of its highest national honours on two prominent Thai figures in recognition of their exceptional contributions to international relations, philanthropy, and the strengthening of cultural and economic ties between Italy and Thailand. The Italian Embassy in Bangkok recently hosted a distinguished reception to confer the honours on Khunying Patama Leeswadtrakul and Dr Somsak Leeswadtrakul. The event, attended by ambassadors, senior diplomats, business leaders, and prominent figures in Thai society, celebrated the couple's outstanding contributions to bilateral relations, philanthropy, and international cooperation. Khunying Patama, a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC), President of the Badminton World Federation (BWF), Chairperson of Center for Morality Promotion (Public Organization), Chairperson of Cultural Promotion Fund, Department of Cultural Promotion, Ministry of Culture, Chair of the Board of the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra (TPO), was awarded the title of Commendatore dell'Ordine al Merito della Repubblica Italiana (Commander of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic – OMRI). Her husband, Dr Somsak, a leading business tycoon and philanthropist, received the title of Commendatore dell'Ordine della Stella d'Italia (Commander of the Order of the Star of Italy – OSI). The OMRI, Italy's highest-ranking civilian order, is bestowed upon individuals who have rendered outstanding service to the Republic in the fields of literature, the arts, economy, public service, and social, philanthropic, and humanitarian activities. The OSI, meanwhile, is granted to foreign nationals who have made significant contributions to promoting friendly relations and cooperation with Italy. Italian Ambassador to Thailand, H.E. Paolo Dionisi, presided over the reception. In his remarks, the ambassador praised both honourees for their lifelong commitment to excellence and cross-cultural dialogue. "You [Khunying Patama] have already left a tremendous legacy for Thailand and I'm amazed at how energetic and active you still are despite all the past successes you've reached," the ambassador noted. Beyond her support for both domestic and international sports, she has also been deeply involved in cultural, musical, and academic , as well as supporting numerous charitable causes both within Thailand and internationally. Her remarkable dedication is an inspiration to us all. he said, adding that her support was instrumental in Italy's successful bid to host the upcoming Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. "It's hard for me to express in words how much I respect your work and your great life and work achievements, and I think that Thailand's blooming image and respectability abroad owe a lot to you and successful entrepreneurs like you," he said. "Like your husband, you managed to perfectly blend together both economic vision and political acumen, and you also recognised, in your decade-long career, the key value of people-to-people connections, which really transcend cultural differences and borders," he added. In recognising Dr Somsak, the ambassador noted his exceptional achievements in Thailand's steel industry and his steadfast support for Italian business interests, particularly his facilitation of projects by Italian industrial group Danieli. "You are a real steel magnate, having built an empire that spans the steel industry from downstream to upstream, and one of the largest steel industries in Southeast Asia. In addition, you founded businesses in construction, real estate, and property development," he said. The ambassador noted that although Dr Somsak maintains a low profile, he is generous in supporting various charitable causes, not only within the Catholic community in Thailand but also extending his aid to other religious groups, which were highlighted as testaments to his commitment to social progress. "You are a man of profound vision and skill, but also a living proof of the importance of cultivating both economic and social ties alike in international relations," said Ambassador Dionisi. "I think that Italy and Thailand's long and thriving history of friendship depends a lot on characters like you." In receiving their decorations, the couple reaffirmed their commitment to fostering international goodwill, cultural understanding, and sustainable development. In her response, Khunying Patama delivered a heartfelt address, expressing gratitude for the recognition and reaffirming her dedication to strengthening the enduring bond between Italy and Thailand. "Dr Somsak and I are profoundly humbled and grateful to receive these prestigious decorations," she said. "We are deeply moved that these honours have been presented by you, Ambassador Paolo, whose exceptional leadership and genuine love for Thailand have greatly enriched our bilateral relations." She highlighted the power of sport in fostering peace and understanding across cultures, tracing her own passion for sport diplomacy to her early education at St. Francis Xavier Convent School. As Chair of the IOC Culture and Heritage Commission, she pledged continued support for initiatives tied to Milano Cortina 2026, which she described as a celebration of Italy's "beauty, spirit, and rich Olympic tradition." "We humbly dedicate this recognition to our family, our colleagues, and to all who share a belief in using sport to build a better, more united future," Khunying Patama concluded.
Bangkok Post
5 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
50 envoys to get briefing on landmine breaches
Thailand will on Friday brief more than 50 diplomats from signatories and member states of the Ottawa Convention on repeated landmine incidents along the Thai-Cambodian border, emphasising Phnom Penh's refusal to cooperate in demining operations. The briefing comes ahead of site visits scheduled for tomorrow. Thailand will present documented evidence of mine-related incidents to the international community and push for stronger pressure on Phnom Penh to end the repeated use of anti-personnel landmines, said government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub, speaking on behalf of the government's Ad-Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation. "The use of anti-personnel landmines is a serious breach of the Ottawa Convention, as well as basic humanitarian principles," he said. In a bid to increase international scrutiny, Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has invited over 50 diplomatic missions, primarily from countries that are signatories to the Ottawa Convention, to visit the affected provinces of Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket tomorrow. The delegation will be briefed by Thai demining teams operating in the border zone and taken to inspect mine clearance activities at Phu Makua, as well as damage sites at Ban Nong Mek and Phum Saron Witthaya School in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district, said Mr Jirayu. Ahead of the planned field visit tomorrow, Thailand will today host a closed-door briefing for foreign ambassadors and military attachés in Bangkok to outline its position and share details of recent incidents, he said. Russ Jalichandra, vice minister for foreign affairs, said the move follows a fresh incident on Tuesday, in which Thai paramilitary forces encountered Cambodian-laid mines while patrolling near Chong Chub-Tamok in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district, about which formal protests have been lodged through diplomatic channels. The Cambodian government has been urged to cooperate immediately. Mr Russ also revealed that Cambodia rejected Thailand's proposal during previous General Border Committee (GBC) meetings to jointly remove landmines from disputed zones. "This refusal shows a lack of sincerity and undermines regional peace efforts. It also violates the United Nations Charter and the Ottawa Convention," he said. The Royal Thai Armed Forces have confirmed that an Interim Observer Team, composed of military representatives from neutral countries, will conduct independent inspections between Aug 18–20, said Mr Jirayu. Thailand's Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are also coordinating with international mine clearance organisations to evaluate whether humanitarian support to Cambodia should be reassessed in light of Phnom Penh's perceived non-cooperation, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura. He also took aim at Cambodia's domestic information controls, accusing its government of suppressing public access to external media, particularly Thai news outlets. "Cambodian citizens are not the enemy. But they are being denied their right to independent information. The spread of misinformation and fake news by Cambodian state media infringes on previous GBC ceasefire agreements, which committed both sides to reducing tensions," Mr Nikorndej said. He also called on Cambodia to allow open access to global news sources so its citizens "can form their own judgements based on facts". The Thailand-Cambodia Regional Border Committee (RBC) will meet tomorrow to discuss the implementation of the 13-point ceasefire agreement reached on Aug 7 in Malaysia. It will also discuss clearing landmines in disputed areas and cracking down on cross-border scam gangs, said Capt Pharis Wongpensri, commander of the Royal Thai Marine Corps' Trat Task Force.
