Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today that he has not yet ordered the reopening of border checkpoints along the Thai-Cambodian border, pointing out that there are several related issues which need to be discussed first.
He insisted that the national interest must be considered if border checkpoints are to be reopened, as he stressed that foreign pressure will have no bearing on Thailand’s decision. This was an apparent reference to widespread criticism on Thai social media of alleged interference by Japan in pressuring Thailand to reopen some border checkpoints to ease the impacts on Japanese businesses operating in Cambodia.
The prime minster also said that he will have to wait for his government formally to assume office before the matter can be addressed.
Meanwhile, Siripong Angkasakulkiat, deputy leader of the Bhumjaithai party, said that the first thing that Cambodia must do, before the reopening of the border checkpoints, is show their sincerity by withdrawing their troops from the border areas.
He said that he believes that most Thai people will not be happy if border checkpoints are reopened by Thailand without any guarantee from Cambodia that they will not trespass on Thai territory and refrain from provocative acts.
