Latest news with #PanaKlaewplodthuk
Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Landmines inside Thai territory newly laid, probe finds
Thailand is now pursuing retaliatory measures against Cambodia after a probe showed the landmines responsible for Wednesday's mine explosion in the Chok Bok border area in Ubon Ratchathani were newly planted, army commander Gen Pana Klaewplodthuk said on Saturday. On Wednesday, a group of soldiers was patrolling in the area when one stepped on a mine, causing an explosion that injured three of them. Gen Pana was speaking after the Second Army Region confirmed Cambodian forces had planted new landmines, possibly more than 100, inside Thai territory. Two formal actions are now underway, said Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the Second Army Region. A report will be submitted to the Army Operations Centre, and the army will recommend the government instruct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to file a UN complaint under the 1997 Ottawa Convention, citing Cambodia's violation of the anti-mines convention, he said. Eight recently deployed mines were found in two clusters: three on the surface in one spot, concealed with leaves and spaced about 40cm apart; and five more in another location, spaced 90cm apart, he said. All eight devices were newly manufactured, he said, based on clear markings and lack of plant overgrowth. The discovery was made about 100m to 150m inside Thai territory, prompting immediate mine-clearing actions by the Thai engineer battalion, said Lt Gen Boonsin, warning that more mines, potentially numbering in the hundreds, remain buried in the area. While diplomatic complaints are being prepared, Lt Gen Boonsin said the Second Army Region can respond militarily without awaiting government orders. He dismissed Cambodian allegations suggesting Thai forces planted the mines. "Nobody would rig mines near their own troops," he said. "That area is clearly Thai territory, and the Cambodian leader himself acknowledged the landmines were planted inside Thailand," he said. "It is evident the explosives were laid during the period when we had temporarily withdrawn our patrol forces. We reserve the right to respond decisively and appropriately within the bounds of our sovereignty," he added. Cambodia must bear responsibility, he said, adding Thai troops will continue clearing the border area and reinforcing road access. "Thailand and Cambodia are both signatories to the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use of anti-personnel landmines. This is a new and serious development that we must closely monitor, and we must also take greater precautions to protect our troops," he said. "We will act firmly to protect our sovereign territory and personnel dignity," he said. Meanwhile, the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) denied claims in Thai media reports alleging Cambodian forces were responsible for planting the landmines. The CMAA expressed deep regret over the incident bur rejected what it described as "baseless" accusations.
Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Landmines newly laid, probe finds
Thailand is now pursuing retaliatory measures against Cambodia after a probe showed the landmines responsible for Wednesday's mine explosion in the Chok Bok border area in Ubon Ratchathani were newly planted, army commander Gen Pana Klaewplodthuk said on Saturday. On Wednesday, a group of soldiers was patrolling in the area when one stepped on a mine, causing an explosion that injured three of them. Gen Pana was speaking after the Second Army Region confirmed Cambodian forces had planted new landmines, possibly more than 100, inside Thai territory. Two formal actions are now underway, said Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the Second Army Region. A report will be submitted to the Army Operations Centre, and the army will recommend the government instruct the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to file a UN complaint under the 1997 Ottawa Convention, citing Cambodia's violation of the anti-mines convention, he said. Eight recently deployed mines were found in two clusters: three on the surface in one spot, concealed with leaves and spaced about 40cm apart; and five more in another location, spaced 90cm apart, he said. All eight devices were newly manufactured, he said, based on clear markings and lack of plant overgrowth. The discovery was made about 100m to 150m inside Thai territory, prompting immediate mine-clearing actions by the Thai engineer battalion, said Lt Gen Boonsin, warning that more mines, potentially numbering in the hundreds, remain buried in the area. While diplomatic complaints are being prepared, Lt Gen Boonsin said the Second Army Region can respond militarily without awaiting government orders. He dismissed Cambodian allegations suggesting Thai forces planted the mines. "Nobody would rig mines near their own troops," he said. "That area is clearly Thai territory, and the Cambodian leader himself acknowledged the landmines were planted inside Thailand," he said. "It is evident the explosives were laid during the period when we had temporarily withdrawn our patrol forces. We reserve the right to respond decisively and appropriately within the bounds of our sovereignty," he added. Cambodia must bear responsibility, he said, adding Thai troops will continue clearing the border area and reinforcing road access. "Thailand and Cambodia are both signatories to the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use of anti-personnel landmines. This is a new and serious development that we must closely monitor, and we must also take greater precautions to protect our troops," he said. "We will act firmly to protect our sovereign territory and personnel dignity," he said. Meanwhile, the Cambodian Mine Action and Victim Assistance Authority (CMAA) denied claims in Thai media reports alleging Cambodian forces were responsible for planting the landmines. The CMAA expressed deep regret over the incident bur rejected what it described as "baseless" accusations.
The Star
25-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thai Army chief orders Internal Security Operations Command to support operations along Cambodian border
BANGKOK: Army chief General Pana Klaewplodthuk on Wednesday (June 25) directed the Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) to support the operations of the First and Second Army Areas in maintaining security along the Thai-Cambodian border. The order was issued as Gen Pana chaired a meeting with ISOC and its affiliated agencies at the ISOC headquarters. The army chief serves as the ex-officio deputy director of ISOC, while the prime minister is the ex-officio director. Senior military officials in attendance included Gen Ekkarat Changkaew, assistant ISOC director; Gen Thongchai Rodyoi, ISOC secretary-general; and Maj Gen Thammanoon Maisont, ISOC spokesman. According to Maj Gen Thammanoon, the army chief instructed ISOC to utilise its regional and provincial branches to reinforce and support the First and Second Army Areas, which are responsible for defending Thai territory along the eastern border. Psychological operations and intelligence support ordered Gen Pana also directed ISOC to conduct psychological operations to engage with and gain the trust of local communities, encouraging their cooperation with military security efforts along the border. He further ordered ISOC to mobilise its intelligence network to support security operations on both the eastern and southern borders. This includes efforts to prevent the smuggling of migrant workers and to counteract groups with malicious intent against the state. Community networks to play key role The army chief instructed ISOC to make full use of its community-based mass networks to gather early warning information and support proactive territorial defence by the army. These directives followed briefings from ISOC-affiliated agencies detailing their support for the government's ongoing crackdown on online scam gangs operating from Cambodia. The agencies also reported successes in intercepting drug smuggling operations along both the eastern and southern borders. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
05-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand and Cambodia to hold joint border meeting on June 14
The Commander-in-chief of the Royal Thai Army General Pana Klaewplodthuk (right) and the Commander of the Royal Cambodian Army General Mao Sophan (left) during a meeting at the Chong Chom border crossing in Thailand's Surin province on May 29, 2025. - AP BANGKOK: Cambodia and Thailand have scheduled a joint border commission meeting in Cambodia's capital city Phnom Penh on June 14, focusing on the border issues after a recent incident that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Both governments have engaged in close consultations at all levels following a brief exchange of gunfire on May 28 between Thai and Cambodian troops in the Emerald Triangle Area with the Laos. In a release on June 4, a spokesman for Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Chum Sounry said the country is committed to resolving border issues peacefully through technical mechanisms and in accordance with international law. Chum Sounry, also secretary of state, recalled that at a bilateral meeting in Tokyo on May 30, the foreign ministers of both countries agreed to uphold the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Survey and Demarcation of Land Boundary, and to utilise all existing mechanisms, the Cambodian Press Agency (AKP) reported. After the border incident, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called for an urgent meeting of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Border Commission to resume border demarcation work and address rising tensions in disputed areas, according to The Khmer Times. He also proposed that unresolved temple disputes be referred to the International Court of Justice — a motion that received the full support of both the National Assembly and the Senate on June 2. Also on June 4, the Thai Prime Minister's Office issued a statement saying it will resolve the problem in every dimension for Thailand through bilateral mechanisms. The statement noted that both governments have engaged in close consultations at all levels following the accident. 'With regard to questions that Cambodia may wish to resort to a judicial mechanism or a third party on this matter, Thailand, as Cambodia's neighbour, is committed to resolving bilateral issues through peaceful means, based on international law,' said the Thai statement. 'Both sides have agreed to work together to restore the situation to normalcy and to prevent escalation, while also agreeing to make use of existing bilateral mechanisms to resolve the issue,' the statement added. 'In addition, both governments emphasized the importance of communicating with the public to prevent misunderstandings between the peoples of the two countries.' The Cambodian spokesperson also emphasised the country's commitment to transforming border areas with neighbouring countries into zones of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development for the benefit of the respective countries and peoples, the AKP reported. There are six permanent and 10 temporary checkpoints along the border between Thailand and Cambodia. According to the Thai statement, the overall situation along the Thai–Cambodian border remains calm and under control. - China Daily/ANN
Straits Times
05-06-2025
- Politics
- Straits Times
Thailand and Cambodia to hold joint border meeting on June 14
Royal Thai Army commander-in-chief General Pana Klaewplodthuk (right) and Cambodian General Mao Sophan shake hands at the Thai-Cambodian border in Kap Choeng on May 29, 2025. PHOTO: EPA-EFE/ROYAL THAI ARMY HANDOUT BANGKOK - Cambodia and Thailand have scheduled a joint border commission meeting in Cambodia's capital city Phnom Penh on June 14, focusing on the border issues after a recent incident that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. Both governments have engaged in close consultations at all levels following a brief exchange of gunfire on May 28 between Thai and Cambodian troops in the Emerald Triangle Area with the Laos. In a release on June 4 , a spokesman for Cambodia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Chum Sounry said the country is committed to resolving border issues peacefully through technical mechanisms and in accordance with international law. Mr Chum Sounry, also secretary of state, recalled that at a bilateral meeting in Tokyo on May 30, the foreign ministers of both countries agreed to uphold the spirit of the Memorandum of Understanding on the Survey and Demarcation of Land Boundary, and to utilise all existing mechanisms, the Cambodian Press Agency (AKP) reported. After the border incident, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called for an urgent meeting of the Cambodia–Thailand Joint Border Commission to resume border demarcation work and address rising tensions in disputed areas, according to The Khmer Times. He also proposed that unresolved temple disputes be referred to the International Court of Justice — a motion that received the full support of both the National Assembly and the Senate on June 2 . Also on June 4 , the Thai Prime Minister's Office issued a statement saying it will resolve the problem in every dimension for Thailand through bilateral mechanisms. The statement noted that both governments have engaged in close consultations at all levels following the accident. 'With regard to questions that Cambodia may wish to resort to a judicial mechanism or a third party on this matter, Thailand, as Cambodia's neighbor, is committed to resolving bilateral issues through peaceful means, based on international law,' said the Thai statement. 'Both sides have agreed to work together to restore the situation to normalcy and to prevent escalation, while also agreeing to make use of existing bilateral mechanisms to resolve the issue,' the statement added. 'In addition, both governments emphasized the importance of communicating with the public to prevent misunderstandings between the peoples of the two countries.' The Cambodian spokesperson also emphasised the country's commitment to transforming border areas with neighbouring countries into zones of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development for the benefit of the respective countries and peoples, the AKP reported. There are six permanent and 10 temporary checkpoints along the border between Thailand and Cambodia. According to the Thai statement, the overall situation along the Thai–Cambodian border remains calm and under control. CHINA DAILY/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
