Latest news with #Winthai
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thai Army denies starting border clash, cites self-defence
BANGKOK: The Royal Thai Army has rejected Cambodia's claim that Thai troops fired first in a recent border skirmish, insisting the engagement at Chong Bok was a defensive response to an armed incursion. The Army says it remains committed to peaceful resolution, but is prepared to act if sovereignty is threatened. In response to Cambodia's Wednesday (June 4) statement regarding a recent border clash, the Royal Thai Army issued a clarification on Thursday (June 5), rejecting claims that Thai troops initiated the skirmish at Chong Bok late last month. Army spokesperson Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree stated that the accusation was untrue and emphasised that Thai forces had strictly adhered to rules of engagement. 'The Thai Army has consistently instructed its personnel to act with restraint and discipline,' he said, adding that the clash occurred as an act of individual-level self-defence. According to the Army, Thai troops received intelligence that armed Cambodian soldiers had crossed into Thai territory and set up positions. A small Thai patrol was sent to verify the situation, but was met with gunfire, leading to an exchange. The incident had previously been addressed through proper channels. Winthai further noted that Thailand has repeatedly attempted to resolve such border disputes through military-to-military dialogue as agreed upon by both countries. However, he pointed out a lack of serious cooperation from the Cambodian side in recent interactions. The spokesperson also revealed that the Royal Thai Army has heightened its readiness to conduct military operations if necessary to respond to sovereignty violations. Intelligence reports have indicated intensified military preparations by Cambodia, paired with ambiguous diplomatic signalling, which the Army views as concerning. In light of this, the Army Commander-in-Chief has ordered all units to maintain a high level of operational preparedness, in accordance with national defence plans, should peaceful efforts fail to resolve the situation. "The Army affirms that border operations are carried out with utmost care and based on a thorough understanding of the situation, aiming to prevent unnecessary losses. However, we remain fully prepared to defend national sovereignty if required," Winthai concluded. - The Nation/ANN
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Cambodia says soldier killed in brief border skirmish with Thai troops
BANGKOK (Reuters) -A Cambodian soldier was killed on Wednesday, its defence ministry said, after a brief exchange of gunfire with Thai soldiers at a disputed border area between the two Southeast Asian neighbours. The incident took place early on Wednesday at a border area between Cambodia's Preah Vihear province and Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province, both countries said, adding their troops had since stood down and would use diplomacy to handle this issue. Deadly clashes between Cambodia and Thailand last erupted in 2011 over Preah Vihear, an ancient temple at the heart of a decades-long dispute on their undemarcated border. "Thai army first opened fire on a trench that had been a Cambodian army base for a long time, resulting in the loss of one of our soldiers," Cambodia's defence ministry said in a statement. Thailand said its soldiers were trying to negotiate with Cambodian troops to back away from taking up a position in a disputed area but came under fire, Thai army spokesman Major General Winthai Suvaree said, adding there were no Thai casualties. "Cambodian forces misunderstood the situation and started using weapons, so Thai forces retaliated," Winthai said adding that the exchange lasted about 10 minutes. Although the two countries have a historic rivalry, their governments enjoy warm ties, partly due to the close relationship between their influential former leaders, Thailand's Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodia's Hun Sen, whose daughter and son respectively are both prime ministers. Earlier this month, security officials from both countries met in Bangkok to try to reduce border tension after a February incident in which a group of Cambodians escorted by troops sang their national anthem at an ancient Hindu temple claimed by both sides, before being stopped by Thai soldiers.
The Star
29-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thai Army defends lèse-majesté charges against American academic
FILE - US political science lecturer Paul Chambers, left, of Thailand's Naresuan University, stands outside the police station in Phitsanulok, Thailand, where he was arrested on Tuesday, April 8, 2025, on charges of insulting the monarchy. - AP BANGKOK: The Royal Thai Army (RTA) has defended legal action taken against an American academic for alleged lèse-majesté, while the opposition People's Party (PP) criticised the move, claiming it has stalled trade negotiations with the United States. RTA spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvari issued a statement on Monday (April 28) to clarify the lèse-majesté charges against Dr Paul Chambers, a lecturer at Naresuan University. Chambers surrendered to police on 8 April and was released on bail the following day with a surety of 300,000 baht (US$8998). Maj Gen Winthai stated that he needed to address the issue after Internal Security Operations Command (ISOC) Area 3 representatives provided incomplete information during their appearance before the House Committee on Military Affairs on 24 April. According to the statement, ISOC Area 3 filed a complaint under Article 112 of the Criminal Code at Muang Phitsanulok Police Station on 27 February. Winthai stressed that this article allows any member of the public to report lèse-majesté offences they have witnessed. He added that the complaint was made after ISOC was alerted by members of the public who claimed Chambers had expressed personal opinions in a way that allegedly harmed the monarchy's reputation. Winthai denied allegations from the PP that ISOC invoked Article 7 of the Internal Security Act, explaining that the law applies only to special security situations, such as the insurgency in Thailand's deep South. Maj Gen Winthai also reprimanded PP Members of Parliament for their behaviour during the House committee session. He claimed ISOC representatives were humiliated with demeaning terms, including 'stupid', 'power-hungry', and 'lacking intelligence and English skills'. The spokesman reaffirmed that although Dr Chambers is an American citizen, he must be held accountable under Thai law, as he lives and works in Thailand. PP deputy leader Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn disputed Winthai's claim that ISOC acted merely as concerned citizens. He argued that the complaint was filed in an official capacity by ISOC Area 3 commander Lt Gen Kittipong Chamsuwan, making it a formal action by a state security agency. Wiroj further claimed that ISOC abused its authority by using summary notes from a seminar—which Chambers did not author—as evidence. The notes were produced by the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, the event organiser. Wiroj cited former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra, who recently stated that lawsuits involving American citizens had disrupted Thai–US trade negotiations, potentially exposing Thailand to punitive import tariffs. Although Thaksin did not name Chambers directly, many believe he was referring to the case. Wiroj urged Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra to acknowledge the impact of the Chambers case, accusing the civilian government of allowing continued military overreach. PP deputy leader Sirikanya Tansakun echoed Wiroj's concerns, insisting that Prime Minister Paetongtarn must personally address the issue instead of relying on her father, Thaksin, to speak on her behalf. She demanded that the prime minister explain how her government plans to resolve the Chambers matter to safeguard the trade talks. In a separate statement, ISOC spokesman Maj Gen Thammanoon Maison insisted that the case against Dr Chambers was strictly a matter of domestic internal security and should not be connected to international trade relations. - The Nation/ANN
