Anutin, the Bhumjaithai leader, said on Monday (Dec 29) that the plan to build a wall along the Thai-Cambodian frontier and a policy to strengthen security forces will remain intact if the party wins the poll on Feb 8, according to various media reports.
The financing for the barrier’s construction will primarily come from the defence budget as part of a national security enhancement campaign, he added.
The caretaker prime minister emphasised this stance during his visit to Ta Kwai Temple and Hill 350 in Phanom Dong Rak district of Surin province, areas that experienced significant border clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops before a ceasefire on Saturday, reports the Bangkok Post.
The Thai armed forces plan to build the border wall in phases, starting in uncontested locations, likely beginning with Pong Nam Ron district in Chanthaburi province. The wall is estimated to cost around B7 million per kilometre, excluding the expense of a patrol road constructed behind the barrier for security purposes.
In October, the Thai arm pledged to act on the initiative of Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Krom Phra Srisavangavadhana by building a “Thai-Cambodian border wall” to improve the safety of soldiers and civilians living in border areas.
Cambodian soldier return delayed
Meanwhile, as the renewed ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia passed the 72-hour mark yesterday, Bangkok said it had delayed the release of 18 captured Cambodian soldiers due to alleged breaches of the deal.
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the ceasefire was fragile and needed both sides to ensure that it was sustained and that bilateral relations were gradually being repaired, reports the Bangkok Post.
“The ceasefire has only just been agreed so there is fragility,” Mr Sihasak told reporters yesterday. “We should avoid instigation or things that could diminish the ceasefire.”
Under the agreement signed by the defence ministers of both countries on Saturday in Chanthaburi, Thailand said it would release the 18 Cambodian detainees after the ceasefire held for 72 hours.
However, the military reported detecting 250 drones from Cambodia in the skies above contested border areas on Sunday night, which it saw as a “provocation” and a breach of the deal.
As a result, it recommended reconsidering the timing of the handover of the soldiers who were captured in an earlier round of hostilities in July, said Nikorndej Balankura, spokesman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“The consideration of date and time of the release depends on the security side,” he said at a briefing yesterday, adding that the handover could “happen soon”.
The briefing was attended by 78 participants, including diplomats from 60 countries, one organisation and three international organisations.
Thailand has also asked Cambodia to facilitate the return of Thai nationals currently in Cambodia, Mr Sihasak said, adding that a meeting with the Cambodian foreign minister may take place after the New Year. This could pave the way for the drafting of a roadmap to foster positive developments in bilateral relations.
Cambodian authorities have strongly denied the accusation of using drones, and issued an order prohibiting the use of drones across the country late on Monday.
“There has been no reaction yet, it is being monitored,” said Pen Bona, a spokesperson for the Cambodian government, when asked about the delay to the soldiers’ release.
The Thai foreign ministry also sent a formal protest to Cambodia after a Thai soldier - the eleventh to lose a limb - was injured in a landmine blast in Si Sa Ket province. Landmine incidents were a catalyst for the renewed clashes this month.
Mr Nikorndej said that the defence ministries of both countries have been in contact.
Troop movements monitored
In a related development, the 2nd Army Area reported that while no heavy fighting has occurred along the border, Cambodian military movements continue to be observed, including logistical deployments and ongoing drone surveillance operations.
In Ubon Ratchathani province, around 30 trucks were observed transporting supplies in the border region between Chong Bok district and Preah Vihear province in Cambodia. About 10 surveillance drones were also detected flying towards Phu Makhuea at an altitude of around 1,000 metres. They were believed to have been monitoring Thai troop deployments.
In Si Sa Ket, transport activity was observed in several border areas near Chong Sam Tae, Don Tuan, Phu Phi, Satta Som, Phanom Prasit So and Chong Ta Thao in Kantharalak district opposite Preah Vihear.
The latest ceasefire halted 20 days of fighting that killed at least 101 people and displaced more than half a million on both sides, and included fighter-jet sorties, exchanges of rocket fire and artillery barrages.
The border clashes reignited early this month, following the breakdown in a ceasefire deal that US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim helped broker to halt a previous round of conflict in July.