Latest news with #BoonsinPadklang
The Star
18 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thai Army postpones border committee meeting as Cambodian shelling continues
BANGKOK: The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has announced the indefinite postponement of the Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting due to ongoing cross-border attacks by Cambodian forces, while reaffirming its intent to proceed with the meeting when conditions allow. Army spokesman Maj Gen Vinthai Suwaree (pic) said on Tuesday (July 29) that the Second Army Region had postponed the scheduled RBC meeting, originally set to begin at 7.00am. The meeting was to involve Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, Commander of the Second Army Region, and Lt Gen Amarit Boonsuya, Commander of the First Army Region, who is responsible for operations in Sa Kaeo province, along with their Cambodian military counterparts. The start time was first delayed to 10.00am due to continued clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border, before being postponed indefinitely. Maj Gen Vinthai noted that efforts to arrange the meeting are ongoing, despite the lack of a confirmed date and time. The RTA has received reports from the Second Army Region indicating that Cambodian forces have violated the ceasefire agreement, engaging in multiple acts of provocation and armed attacks across various areas. Thai forces have responded in accordance with the evolving situation on the ground. Following Thailand's adherence to the ceasefire from midnight onward, Thai troops have closely monitored frontline developments. Throughout the night and into the morning, multiple reports emerged of Cambodian military activity involving harassment and the use of supporting fire into Thai territory. Incidents have been reported in several border zones, including Chong Bok, Chong An Ma, Sam Tae, Prasat Ta Khwai, and Phu Makua. Thai forces responded proportionately using frontline personnel and supporting firepower to suppress the ongoing provocations. - The Nation/ANN
Bangkok Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thai air strikes hit two Cambodian targets
Thailand has carried out air strikes on Cambodia, hitting two military targets on Thursday, as the countries' border conflict intensified, with clashes reported in six locations. Six F-16 fighter jets were deployed late Thursday morning from Ubon Ratchathani province, hitting two 'Cambodian military targets on the ground', Col Ritcha Suksuwanon, a Royal Thai Army deputy spokesperson, told reporters. 'We have used air power against military targets as planned.' The air strikes came a few hours after Cambodian soldiers opened fire at a Thai military base in the northeastern province of Surin and launched rockets towards Si Sa Ket, according to the army. Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry said preparations were under way to evacuate civilians as a precautionary measure in border areas of four provinces. The hostilities erupted when Thai soldiers heard a Cambodian unmanned aerial vehicle circling in front of the Ta Muen Thom temple ruins in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin at 7.35am, the 2nd Army Region said. Six Cambodian soldiers then approached a barbed-wire fence in front of the Thai military base, armed with weapons including rocket-propelled grenades. Thai soldiers at the base shouted to urge their Cambodian counterparts to avoid escalating the conflict. At 8.20am Cambodia opened fire toward the Moo Pa military base, about 200 metres east of the Ta Muen Thom ruins, the 2nd Army Region said on its Facebook page. The Cambodian forces set up artillery in nearby communities in a manner that used civilians as human shields, the Thai army alleged. Artillery fire was then directed at the temple ruins at 8.50am, it said. At about 9.15am, Cambodian troops reportedly initiated gunfire, targeting the area near the Moo Pa base. One Thai soldier was injured as gunfire continued, with both small arms and heavy weaponry being deployed. At 9.40am, Cambodia fired BM-21 rocket launchers at the Don Tuan temple ruins in Si Sa Ket province, Thailand said. At 9.55am, Cambodian forces reportedly fired into a residential area near the border area development centre in Kap Choeng district of Surin. At least three civilians were reported injured. Authorities began evacuating civilians from the area as a precaution. The attacks came a day after a landmine explosion injured five Thai soldiers, one of whom lost a leg, near the Chong An Ma border crossing in Ubon Ratchathani province. The Thai army said the mines were recently planted by Cambodia. Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the 2nd Region Army, which is responsible for the Northeast, ordered the border sealed and the temple ruins in Surin closed. The orders took effect on Thursday morning. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Facebook Thursday that Thai forces had launched attacks on Cambodian military positions at Preah Vihear and Ta Krabei temples in Oddar Meanchey province. "Cambodia always maintains a stance of wanting to resolve issues peacefully, but, in this case, we have no choice but to respond with armed force against this armed invasion," Hun Manet said. On Wednesday, the Thai government expelled the Cambodian ambassador, Hun Saroeun, while recalling the Thai envoy from Phnom Penh. Bangkok has briefed foreign military attachés and diplomats stationed in the neighbouring country and is seeking action under the United Nations' (UN) Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention, while also engaging in bilateral efforts to resolve the dispute. Though Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of border tensions, relations have remained largely stable since the 2011 conflict, which left dozens dead. After the clash in May, Cambodia called for the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in The Hague to help resolve four disputed land areas. Thailand, however, said it does not recognise the court's jurisdiction in the matter.
The Star
6 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand closes border with Cambodia in response to landmine incidents
BANGKOK: On July 23, Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang (pic), Commander of the 2nd Army Region, signed an order to close border crossings between Thailand and Cambodia and suspend all tourism activities in the areas under 2nd Army Region's responsibility, following recent landmine attacks in the Thai-Cambodian border region. The Commander referred to the 2nd Army Region's order dated June 23, 2025, aiming to enhance border control in Surin, Sisaket, and Buriram provinces. Following the order's enactment, a series of landmine incidents took place near the border in Chong Bok and Chong An Ma areas of Ubon Ratchathani Province. These attacks, believed to have been carried out by Cambodian forces, have resulted in serious injuries to Thai soldiers and are considered violations of Thailand's sovereignty under the Ottawa Convention. The use of landmines in this manner is deemed a severe threat to peace and stability along the border between the two nations. As a result, the 2nd Army has implemented the following measures to ensure security: 1. Suspension of all vehicle traffic across the border. 2. Suspension of all movement of people, including local and foreign tourists, and a halt to all types of trade. 3. A ban on visits to Ta Muen and Ta Kwai temples for tourists while security systems are being upgraded. These measures aim to protect Thailand's sovereignty and territorial integrity, safeguard the lives and property of Thai citizens, and prevent further incidents of this nature. They also serve as a statement of disapproval of the use of landmines, which violate sovereignty and the Ottawa Convention. The closure will be enforced starting July 24, 2025. - The Nation/ANN
Bangkok Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Army seals border with Cambodia, closes temple ruins
The commander of the Second Army Region suspended visits to the Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temple ruins in Surin province and sealed the border with Cambodia on Thursday, following a landmine explosion that injured five Thai soldiers on Wednesday. Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang signed the order on Wednesday, saying Cambodia had committed an 'inhumane act' in violation of sovereignty and the Ottawa Treaty by using landmines. The act was 'grave threat to peace and stability along the border of both countries,' the commander's order read. His order prohibits all border crossings by vehicles, people, trade and tourists, while the Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temple ruins were closed for 'security system improvement'. Cambodian troops on Thursday morning opened fire on a Thai position near the temple area ruins in Surin, the army said. Lt Gen Boonsin said the closure order was aimed at protecting Thailand's sovereignty and territory and the safety of Thai citizens' lives and property and at expressing Thailand's opposition to the use of anti-personnel landmines.
Bangkok Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Army seals border with Cambodia, closes border temple ruins
The commander of the Second Army Region suspends visits to Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temple ruins in Surin province and seals the border with Cambodia on Thursday, blaming Cambodia-laid landmine explosions. Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang signed his order on Wednesday for the closure of the border and the ancient temples from Thursday onward, citing as the reason Cambodia's 'inhumane act' and violation of sovereignty and the Ottawa Treaty by its attacks with landmines. The regional army chief wrote that landmines had been laid in Thai border areas near Chong Bok and Chong An Ma crossings of Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province and their explosions seriously injured Thai soldiers. The act was 'grave threat to peace and stability along the border of both countries,' the commander's order read. His order prohibits border crossing by all kinds of vehicles, people, trade and tourists and Ta Muen Thom and Ta Kwai temple ruins are closed for 'security system improvement'. Lt Gen Boonsin wrote that the closure order was aimed at protecting Thailand's sovereignty and territory and the safety of Thai citizens' life and properties and at expressing opposition to the use of anti-personnel landmines.
