The armed forces hold decision-making authorisation in the handling of the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border conflict, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today.
Anutin noted that his government has not yet officially taken office, but once it does, his administration will directly heed the concerns of those responsible for security operations along the border.
He was referring to a clash yesterday between Thai anti-riot police and Cambodian protesters in Ban Nong Ya Kaeo village of Khok Sung district in Sa Kaeo province.
The confrontation forced Thai police to use rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse Cambodian protesters who, armed with long sticks and slingshots, attempted to prevent Thai troops from installing barbed wire fencing to reinforce border security.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has lodged complaints about the clash with several world leaders, including US President Donald Trump and UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Anutin told reporters that every national leader must protect their country’s interests, just as the Thai government must safeguard the nation’s interests, security, sovereignty and the safety of its people.
Five Thai police officers were injured by projectiles, while Cambodian media reported that 24 Cambodians were wounded by rubber bullets and tear gas.
The Thai military and foreign ministry have insisted that the barbed wire fencing was erected within Thai territory and that the use of riot-control measures was necessary to prevent the situation from escalating into full-scale riots.
