Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced to Thai troops on November 11, at the Phu Makua mountainous outpost in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province, that peace with Cambodia has come to an end.
He said that his government has suspended its compliance with the commitments under the joint declaration, which was signed with Cambodia in Kuala Lumpur last month. From now on, Thailand will do whatever we consider appropriate and beneficial to the country, without consulting with or seeking permission from anyone.
He confirmed that he has already discussed with the military’s top brass how Thailand will, from now on, proceed vis-à-vis Cambodia.
Attired in an army fatigues and a beret, the prime minister inspected Thai troops guarding the Phu Makua hill-top outpost, which overlooks Cambodian territory below. The outpost was captured from invading Cambodian forces in a fierce fight during the five-day battle in late July.
The prime minister told the media that the government’s strategy for dealing with Cambodia, however, remain confidential, because it directly concerns national security.
He stressed that his government has never and never will acquiesce to Cambodia’s demands, but it has been taking and will continue to take the leading role and dictate the timing and form of actions to be taken, while emphasising that the military has the government’s full support in the handling of the border situation.
