Buriram: Opposition leader Mr. Natthaphong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the Prachachon Party, along with Mr. Wiroj Lakkhanaadisorn, a party-list MP for the Prachachon Party, visited the Thai-Cambodian border areas in Buriram to address local grievances. The visit comes in the wake of recent border clashes that have led to significant disturbances for residents.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Ekkawat Phuangprakon, the District Chief of Ban Kruat, reported that during the clashes, 226 bombs were initially thought to have been dropped, but post-incident inspections revealed 628 bombs. Despite this, evacuation efforts were successfully completed on the morning of July 24. Mr. Natthaphong emphasized the importance of listening to and voicing the people's concerns to coordinate assistance, highlighting that local officials and people are the ones enduring the most hardship.
The government has earmarked funds for relief efforts, including reductions in utility bills, compensation for lost income, and low-interest loans. However, Mr. Natthaphong noted that streamlining compensation procedures is critical to ensuring timely assistance. He pledged to propose solutions to the government for urgent improvements.
Mr. Wiroj intends to expedite the disbursement of relief budgets through parliamentary mechanisms. He also highlighted the need to address issues related to commercial and private drones, which have caused disturbances in the region. Discussions with military and government agencies are anticipated to expedite the resolution of these issues.
Villagers had the opportunity to voice their concerns during the visit. Mr. Kamphi Nong Nam, a village headman, proposed building a border fence to prevent future conflicts. Ms. Buppha Minongwa, another village headman, raised concerns about drones and called for anti-drone equipment and support for Village Security Guards (VSCs).
Mr. Somchai Thanatram, a village headman, expressed the need for bulletproof vests for village representatives and called for a review of the relief measures. He highlighted the economic hardships faced by rubber farmers and the complexity of the relief registration system.
The visit shed light on the pressing issues faced by border residents, with Mr. Natthaphong underscoring the importance of understanding people's needs and advocating for universal financial aid. Mr. Wiroj committed to following up on budgetary allocations and potential regulatory reviews to enhance support for affected areas.