Latest news with #AdHocCentreforthe
Bangkok Post
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Phumtham orders action on drone threat
Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has instructed the Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand–Cambodia Border Situation to develop measures to address the rising threat of unauthorised drone activity, as tensions persist along the Thai-Cambodian frontier. According to government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub, the order came from Mr Phumtham following Tuesday's cabinet meeting. The ad hoc centre will work with the Ministry of Transport and the National Broadcasting and Telecommunications Commission to create measures against drone usage, he said. Mr Jirayu stated that the Thai government is complying with the ceasefire agreement while continuing its efforts to safeguard its national sovereignty. He added that Regional Border Committee meetings are underway, with General Border Committee (GBC) meetings scheduled for Sep 8–10 in Siem Reap, Cambodia. The government has also been actively working since Monday to arrange for the GBC's Interim Observer Team, comprised of military attachés from all Asean countries, to monitor the situation, Mr Jirayu said. The spokesman said temporary shelters in affected border areas have now closed, with residents returning home. The government has provided financial aid and reconstruction support for those affected. Mr Jirayu also urged both state and private media outlets to avoid spreading false information. Regarding land rights issues, delays in verifying land ownership in state territories have left many residents without access to basic utilities. Mr Phumtham ordered the Office of the National Land Policy Board to expedite the verification process in line with a cabinet resolution from Jan 9 last year. Related agencies, including the ministries of interior, finance and natural resources, have been instructed to hold an urgent meeting and report back to the cabinet. Mr Phumtham also responded to the National Security Council's recommendation to pursue legal action against Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Thai courts for alleged damage to Thai lives and property. While Mr Phumtham did not rule out future action in the International Criminal Court, he stressed that current efforts remain within Thailand's legal framework.
Bangkok Post
08-08-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thailand appoints actress Panadda to counter Cambodia's defence spokeswoman
Thailand has picked Panadda Wongphudee️ to be a spokeswoman for the Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation with a clear assignment to counterattack what Thai authorities call "fake news" from the neighbouring country. Deputy Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit on Friday officially introduced Ms Panadda as an ad-hoc spokeswoman for the centre, as it needed a woman to swiftly respond to all statements made by Lt Gen Maly Socheata, Cambodia's National Defence Ministry spokeswoman. "Let me make this straight forward. This appointment is to counter Lt Gen Maly," the deputy minister told reporters at Government House. Thai officials have felt frustrated with the work of Lt Gen Maly, who has been considered a key person assigned by the Cambodian government to send fake news to the international community to woo support for Cambodia and damage Thailand's reputation. She has been the face of the Cambodian National Defence Ministry since the two countries started the five-day border clashes beginning on July 24. The armed fighting has ended, but Thailand and Cambodia reached a ceasefire agreement on July 28. The introduction of Ms Panadda to the public was made one day after the General Border Committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where the two countries reiterated pledges to restore peace at their border. It illustrates that a war of words between Thailand and Cambodia could not be easily over, although the two neighbours have agreed to a ceasefire. "At least I am confident that we hold one advantage over Cambodia: she is more beautiful," Gen Nattaphon said, referring to Ms Panadda, 49. The deputy minister said the spokeswoman for the Thai centre is a former Miss Thailand, 'but the spokeswoman of the Cambodian National Defence Ministry is not." Gen Nattaphon said Thai security authorities will supply her with information to counter Cambodia on her online platforms. Ms Panadda was crowned Miss Thailand in 2000. She has played multiple roles as a famous actress, influencer and social activist. She said she decided to take the role from the armed forces so she could spread accurate information from Thailand to the public and global audiences after seeing people affected by the clashes and the patience of Thai soldiers protecting Thai soil at the border. "The armed forces agreed in a meeting that I was the most suitable spokeswoman who can confront the one from Cambodia. So, I took the offer," she said of her decision. The armed clashes killed 14 civilians and 15 soldiers on the Thai side. Fifty-three people and 230 soldiers were injured.
Bangkok Post
04-08-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Cambodia urged to honour its dead and collect their bodies
Deputy Defence Minister Nattapon Narkphanit has called on the Cambodian government to honour its soldiers who fell in the border clashes with Thailand by retrieving their bodies without delay. Gen Nattapon said at Government House on Monday morning that he had informed the Cambodian defence minister during their meeting in Malaysia on Sunday that many Cambodian soldiers had been killed and their bodies had not been retrieved but were left at the Thai frontier. The bodies should be properly collected to honour their sacrifice and in respect for their dignity, the deputy defence minister said. Gen Nattapon said Thailand had properly collected Cambodian soldiers' bodies and repatriated them with military honour, in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. He felt sorry for the Cambodian dead, because their government denied they were Cambodian soldiers. 'I feel sorry for these Cambodian soldiers who lost their lives, sorry that the Cambodian government has rejected them… I am a military officer. Although we are conflicting parties, we must honour the deceased. "We see the condition of these [dead] Cambodian soldiers, lying in front of us every day during patrols. So, I repeat my serious request to the Cambodian defence minister for their quick retrieval,' Gen Nattapon said. Further delay in collecting the bodies would not only demean their honour and dignity but also pose a health threat to nearby Cambodian villages, Gen Nattapon said. RAdm Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman for the Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, said that by discarding its soldiers' bodies the Cambodian government violated international humanitarian norms, the dignity of the Cambodian armed forces and Cambodia's Buddhist and cultural practices concerning body disposal. 'Neglecting fallen soldiers reflects a sad disregard for the dignity of Cambodia's own armed forces. This, of course, damages the morale of Cambodian troops and affects the families of the deceased. "A lot of family members are actually searching for loved ones, people who actually have been lost as a result of the armed conflict. So far, the Cambodian authorities have not shown any sign that they will help find the bodies of those lost ones," RAdm Surasant said.
