Thai supreme command supports building of border fences

Thailand’s supreme commander, Gen Songwit Noonpackdee, says that he supports the idea of building fences along the shared border with Cambodia, to prevent incursions and to protect Thai citizens.

The Thai Army is considering the matter, believing that the fences could protect the nation’s integrity and sovereignty, Gen Songwit said on Wednesday.

He was speaking as Thailand co-hosted the Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence Conference with the United States in Phetchaburi province.

Cambodia was not represented at the conference, which was attended by 20 countries.

The proposal for permanent fences along the Thai-Cambodian border, particularly in the southern reaches of the north-eastern parts of Thailand, has recently been raised and discussed. Those provinces were targeted and attacked by Cambodian troops during five days of fighting in late July.

Songwit said many countries asked about the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border and Thailand took the opportunity to present factual information to the international community, stressing that all of Thailand’s actions were strictly in defence of national interests and to protect its people under international rules.

File photo: Supreme Commander Gen Songwit Noonpakdee

He reiterated that Thailand does not want armed conflict, but is compelled to safeguard its sovereignty following Cambodian incursions.

Songwit said army staff were sent to Ban Nong Chan in Sa Kaeo province to confirm that the area is Thai territory and to prepare for the construction of a strong border wall.

Meanwhile, former army chief Gen Prawit Wongsuwan said today that he was upset about yesterday’s landmine explosion in Si Sa Ket province, which removed a Thai soldier’s his foot, adding that he supports the construction of permanent walls along the Thai-Cambodian border.