A hospital in Ubon Ratchathani province has suspended services for new Cambodian patients and has ceased deploying Cambodian translators, due to the ongoing tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border.
Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital, in Muang district, states that Cambodian patients already receiving treatment will be placed under strict zoning, according to an internal memo issued yesterday.
The new measures takes effect from today and will last until August 10.
The hospital is also temporarily suspending its Special Medical Care (SMC) premium service and medication pickups.
As the province’s main medical facility, Sunpasitthiprasong Hospital has previously provided care to both Thai and foreign patients, including Cambodians seeking cross-border treatment.
Meanwhile, Acting Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Nakpanich said yesterday that Thailand will temporarily suspend all military cooperation with Cambodia, including education exchange programmes, until bilateral tensions ease. He made the remarks after chairing a Defence Council meeting.
In a related development, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand (CAAT) has issued an immediate ban on the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), or drones, in sensitive zones along the border. The order aims to prevent disruptions to national security, military operations or air traffic control.
Restricted zones include provinces such as Chanthaburi, Trat, Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin, Buri Ram, Nakhon Ratchasima, Nakhon Sawan, Chainat, Phetchabun, Phichit, Prachin Buri, Sa Kaeo, and Lop Buri.
All drone activity is prohibited within a 9km (5 nautical mile) radius of airports or temporary landing sites.
Violators face up to one year in prison, a fine of up to 40,000 baht or both on conviction. Military authorities are also permitted to destroy unauthorised drones.
At 9.45pm on July 28, Ubon Ratchathani air traffic control reported sighting seven unidentified drones near the airport. Controllers observed flashing lights, consistent with drone activity, from the control tower.
