Thai troops are authorised to retaliate immediately if Cambodian forces are found violating Thailand’s territory, Second Army Region Commander Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang said yesterday.
He was responding to the Thai Army’s recent revelation that a Cambodian special military unit, the Bodyguard Headquarters (BHQ), had been spotted near the border, where Cambodian soldiers attempted to lay landmines on Thai soil.
“The Cambodian BHQ troops have been secretly observing Thai patrols. If they violate our sovereignty, we will fire. If they move quickly into our territory, my troops are instructed to respond immediately, including against landmine placement,” Boonsin said.
He explained that his soldiers will fire warning shots first, to deter intruders, followed by targeted fire if the warnings are ignored.
The commander, who is set to retire next month, was giving a lecture at Kasetsart University, entitled “The Truth from the Border”.
Lt Gen Boonsin stressed that battlefield decisions often involve split-second choices, including whether to attack or hold, to negotiate or stand firm.
“People have criticised me, asking why the army did not strike back immediately, but responsibilities go beyond the battlefield,” he said, adding “We must consider the economy, society and the risk of war. If we fight at the wrong time, the world may condemn us as aggressors. Was it worth it if 15 families were widowed overnight? Worth it for the land? Yes, but, for other costs, we must weigh them carefully.”
He warned that commanders who act with force, but without thought, risk becoming dictators, adding “Thailand would be condemned immediately. In our case, our response was justified because they fired first.”
Recounting the clashes with Cambodia from July 24 to 28, he said he had already warned that fighting was inevitable, because Thai forces had to close the Ta Muen Thom Temple in Surin province.
“Closing Ta Muen Thom Temple was the hardest decision. We requested permission to close it at around 1am, and at dawn they opened fire, accusing us of closing their territory. It was our territory too though. That was the start of four nights and five days of fighting, during which we regained several square kilometres,” he said.
“Everything was planned, not emotional. The training we received, we used for the nation. I can assure the public of that,” he added.
When asked if clashes could erupt again along the Thai–Cambodian border, he said it depends on Cambodia’s leadership and their troops’ behaviour. “If they act aggressively or provoke us, we have the right to respond,” he concluded.
