Latest news with #SecondArmyRegion
Bangkok Post
a day ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Border strife spurs faith in Boonsin
The discussion on the tentative extension of Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang's term as commander of the Second Army Region has gained traction in the wake of the recent clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces along the border. Deputy Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit said he is open to the possibility; however, he said the issue must be weighed carefully to avoid damaging morale regarding career progression within army ranks. For weeks on end, ahead of his retirement in September, Lt Gen Boonsin, widely known by his nickname "Big Kung", was seen supporting troops and reported to be laying down tactics and strategies for his subordinates. Supporters of the extension of his term argue that his battlefield experience and familiarity with the situation are vital to ensuring stability, especially during this delicate period. Speaking on Monday, Gen Nattaphon said Lt Gen Boonsin and his deputies had carried out their duties with full dedication and capability during the fighting, and that any decision would have to take into account the broader needs of the army. Observers, including Assoc Prof Wanwichit Boonprong, a political scientist at Rangsit University, have warned against the creation of a "personality-based" rather than "system-based" military culture. Assoc Prof Wanwichit said extending Lt Gen Boonsin's term would be seen as a break in military tradition and might create internal tensions. An extension might be used to fuel internal disputes, undermine the army's cohesion, and politicise the command structure, said the academic. Concerns about the competence of the next commander after Lt Gen Boonsin are unfounded, he said. There are experienced officers with a deep familiarity with the area, although they might operate with different styles. On the other hand, security analyst Panitan Wattanayagorn took a more conciliatory view, saying that a short-term extension, ideally no more than six months, could ensure continuity throughout upcoming Thai–Cambodian border negotiations and General Border Committee talks. "In principle, you should not change horses midstream," he said. "If no serious mistakes have been made, there is no compelling reason to replace a commander at such a critical juncture." Mr Panitan suggested extending Lt Gen Boonsin's service for a limited period to see through key talks or appointing a successor immediately while retaining him as a special adviser with meaningful responsibilities.
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Cambodian rockets, mines keep Thai border areas, communities unsafe: army
The presence of numerous Cambodian rockets and landmines means that Thai border communities and frontiers are still unsafe for civilians and military personnel, according to the Royal Thai Army. The Royal Thai Army said that as of Saturday soldiers had found 824 rocket craters in areas near the Thai-Cambodian border – most of them in communities and hospitals. Explosive ordnance disposal personnel were working urgently to clear shells at the craters so that Thai evacuees could return home as safely as possible, the RTA said. Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the Second Army Region, said on Sunday that the rockets that had been fired from Cambodia and did not explode posed threats to people. He advised people who spotted shell craters to report their findings to government officials immediately and stay away from such locations. Meanwhile, soldiers were also facing threats from many landmines that Cambodian forces had laid in Thai territory before retreating, he said. The regional army commander ordered soldiers to use excavators and tractors to help clear landmines for their own safety. A soldier lost his leg and two colleagues were also injured when an anti-personnel landmine exploded near the Don Aow-Kritsana area in Thailand's Si Sa Ket province on Saturday. The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sharply condemned Cambodia over repeated injuries to Thai soldiers caused by Cambodian landmines. In a statement on Saturday, the ministry said the latest explosion was the third such incident involving Thai forces in less than a month. 'The Royal Thai Government condemns in the strongest terms the use of anti-personnel mines. Such actions are a clear violation of Thailand's sovereignty and territorial integrity, breaching fundamental principles of international law, international humanitarian law, and the United Nations Charter,' the statement read. 'They also constitute a clear breach of obligations under the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention (Ottawa Convention). Thailand is lodging another formal protest and, as a State Party, will take action in accordance with the Convention.' The ministry said the laying of new mines undermines the ceasefire agreed by both countries and urged Cambodia to stop these 'gross violations' immediately. It also called for urgent cooperation on humanitarian demining along the border, as agreed by the two prime ministers. According to the ministry, Thailand raised the issue at the Extraordinary Session of the General Border Committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 7, but Cambodia has yet to respond.
Arab Times
4 days ago
- Arab Times
3 Thai soldiers injured by landmine along border with Cambodia: Thailand Army
BANGKOK, Aug 9, (Xinhua): Three Thai soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion on Saturday morning during a patrol operation along the Thai-Cambodian border, the Thai Army said. In a statement issued by Thailand's Second Army Region, the incident occurred at around 10:00 a.m. local time, when Thai troops were conducting a patrol and laying barbed wire to reinforce border security. All injured soldiers were promptly evacuated and transported to a local hospital for treatment, the Thai Army said. Armed clashes broke out on July 24 between soldiers of Cambodia and Thailand along their disputed border, with both sides accusing each other of violating international law. On Aug 7, Cambodia and Thailand reached a consensus on the details of a ceasefire and signed an agreement at an extraordinary meeting of the General Border Committee held in Malaysia. Both sides agreed to maintain current troop deployments and not to increase forces along the border.
Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Bangkok Post
Three soldiers injured in mine blast near Thai-Cambodian border
Three Thai soldiers were injured after stepping on a landmine during a routine patrol along the Thai-Cambodian border in Kantharalak district, Si Sa Ket province, on Saturday morning. The Second Army Region's Operations Centre reported a landmine explosion along the border that left the three soldiers injured. The incident occurred at about 10am in the Don Ao-Krissana border area of Si Sa Ket, said the operations centre. A patrol from Infantry Company 111 was conducting a security sweep to lay barbed wire fencing when the explosion took place. Led by Sgt Maj First Class Thana Pana and accompanied by two soldiers, the patrol inadvertently triggered a landmine while inspecting the route. The explosion injured all three soldiers. Sgt Maj First Class Thana sustained a severed lower left leg at the ankle. Pvt Pakpoom Chaisura sustained injuries to his arm and back, while Pvt Thananchai Kraiwong sustained a concussion and ruptured eardrum because of the blast. The wounded soldiers were transported to a local hospital. The incident came just days after Thailand and Cambodia reached a 13-point ceasefire agreement aimed at de-escalating tensions along their shared border and fostering peace between the two nations. The agreement was formalised on Thursday afternoon during a special ministerial session of the General Border Committee (GBC) in Kuala Lumpur, following three days of intensive official negotiations.
Bangkok Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Gulf gives B100m to troops, families
Gulf Development Plc, Thailand's largest energy company by market value and a telecom operator, has donated 100 million baht to the Royal Thai Army to assist soldiers injured or the families of those killed in the border conflict with Cambodia. CEO Sarath Ratanavadi said the donation aims to improve the quality of life and morale of frontline troops and their families, and help them recover and rebuild their lives with dignity. The money was officially donated at Army Headquarters to Commander-in-Chief Gen Pana Klaewplodthuk and Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, Commander of the Second Army Region. Mr Sarath said the move stemmed from a personal connection to the military, noting that his father served in the armed forces. He explained that GULF had previously supported military operations by providing satellite communication services in remote areas, but the growing severity of the conflict prompted the company and his family to offer broader support. "This fund is for the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice or were seriously wounded. As a Thai company, we believe it's our duty to stand with those who protect the nation," Mr Sarath said. As well as the donation, GULF is continuing its community outreach through the GULF Care programme, delivering over 2,000 relief kits to soldiers and civilians affected by the border tensions in provinces that include Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani. The company also provided 1.2 million baht in direct support to soldiers injured by landmines during patrols in Ubon Ratchathani. The Second Army Region com- mander expressed gratitude to GULF, saying that a committee will be formed to ensure the donated funds are used transparently and effectively in line with the company's intentions. Mr Sarath encouraged Thais to contribute however they can, affirming the public's shared commitment to national sovereignty and the welfare of frontline defenders.
