Bangkok: General Nattapol Nakphanit, Deputy Minister of Defense and Acting Minister of Defense, has clarified that the National Security Council (NSC) meeting did not resolve to dismantle the barbed wire fence along the Thai-Cambodian border. He emphasized that there would be no resolution to remove the barrier for peace as long as he is involved in the decision-making process.
According to Thai News Agency, General Nattapol highlighted that the postponement of the Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting by Cambodia is not linked to the ongoing border issues, as the same working group is involved. He urged the public to listen to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai, who is acting as Prime Minister, for further updates.
General Nattapol elaborated on the situation regarding the RBC meeting in the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Command areas, noting that Cambodia had not responded to proposals from the Thai side. He assured that matters were proceeding according to the general border committee's results and mentioned that there was no Cambodian response concerning landmine demining efforts.
Further addressing the delay of the RBC meeting in the Second Army Area to August 27, General Nattapol asserted that it does not indicate any issues. He clarified that the meeting would utilize the same working group and needed to be completed at the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Commands before moving to the Second Army Area. He reiterated that the differing working groups of Thailand do not pose a problem.
In response to concerns about the border area in Ban Nong Chan, Sa Kaeo Province, where Cambodian protesters have raised issues due to Thailand's border fence, General Nattapol mentioned that the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) mechanism would be involved in determining the boundary.
Regarding different conditions for resolving issues in the First Army Area, an urban zone, and the Second Army Area, a tactical forest region, General Nattapol acknowledged that the factors vary significantly between the two areas.
When questioned about whether the NSC meeting would discuss removing barbed wire to promote peace, General Nattapol confidently refuted the claims, assuring that no such resolution would be made if he were present at the meeting.
Reporters noted that the NSC meeting also addressed the procurement of foreign workers to replace Cambodian workers returning home. Additionally, Ms. Manoporn Charoensri, Deputy Minister of Transport, was expected to meet with security agencies about the safety of the Sisaket by-election, considering the potential risks of violating pre-election laws due to a 45-day delay.