PRIME Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said today (Sep. 21) that he has reached an understanding with the military that once he assumes leadership they will have full decision-making power on reopening checkpoints on the Thai-Cambodian border and building a fence there, Amarin TV said.
The new administration will support and respect the military’s decision while it will handle the diplomacy and negotiate conditions.
He emphasised that there should be clarity on this matter, Thailand will not accept conditions they table but they must accept our conditions before any further action can be taken.
He added that he wanted this point clarified because there have been various speculations, including foreign leaders calling to lobby him.
“”I cannot lobby. I have no one to lobby. I must act solely for the Thai people, Thailand. There will be no negotiations until they accept our conditions,” he said.
Questioned about drones continuing to fly around Phu Makhuea, Sisaket province, Anutin replied that when it comes to military matters it is for the armed forces to decide but he urged troops to plant Thai flags wherever they wished on Thai territory to bring joy to Thai people and seize every inch of Thai territory that has been encroached upon.
Regarding continuing disturbances at Ban Nong Ya Kaew and Ban Nong Chan areas in Sa Kaeo province with Cambodian human shields continuing to pile pressure, Anutin said that all such incidents must be halted before any discussions can take place.
“There will be no negotiations while there is pressure,” he said.
Meanwhile tensions escalated again at both flashpoints in Sa Kaeo, with around 300 Cambodians approaching the barbed wire fence there, Naewna newspaper said.
The Cambodian protesters had gathered at a shelter near a boundary marker at Ban Nong Chang where they held their traditional “Sandonta” festival that attracted villagers from neighbouring provinces who were then recruited to join their border activities.
On the Thai side, military, police and administrative officials along the border maintained a tight presence and continuously monitored all movements to prevent violence or transnational conflict, particularly in areas where Cambodian protesters were approaching the barbed wire fence.
CAPTIONS:
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul speaking to reporters while campaigning for an upcoming by-election in Sisaket today, Sep. 21, 2025. Top photo: Amarin TV, Front Page photo: Naewna
Insert: Cambodians approaching the barbed wire border fence in Sa Kaeo today. Photos: Naewna
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