The army’s objective following the latest border clashes with Cambodia is to paralyse Cambodia’s military capabilities for a long time to ensure the safety of future generations of Thais, said army chief-of-staff Chaiyaphreuk Duangpraphat.
Gen Chaiyaphreuk made the remark as fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border entered a second day on Monday, and the army reportedly destroyed a casino being used as a Cambodian drone control station.
Fresh violence erupted Sunday afternoon in Si Sa Ket’s Kantharalak district, and residents living near the border in Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani were urged to evacuate to shelters.
His Majesty the King has sent flowers and gift baskets to Sgt Anuchart Ruenkham, who was recovering from injuries in Surin Hospital following the Sunday clash. The items were presented by deputy governor Chamroen Waenpetch.
The Saijaithai Foundation, under the royal patronage of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, on Monday provided 5,000 baht and a gift basket to the injured soldier and his family.
Provincial authorities said they are closely monitoring developments along the border and providing support measures to affected units and families.
The Thai army’s Burapha Task Force launched attacks against Cambodian troops accused of violating Thai sovereignty in Sa Kaeo province on Monday.
The First Army said a military operation was launched “to reclaim Thai sovereign territory along the border in Sa Kaeo province”.
No specifics were released, including the actual location. The army promised a later update. The task force supervises the Thai-Cambodian border in Sa Kaeo province. The announcement came only hours after the task force was placed on full alert as Cambodia continued to reinforce troops and weapons deployed on the border.
The task force said it had been ordered by 1st Army Region commander Lt Gen Worayos Lueangsuwan to prepare for full combat deployment, as Cambodia continued to build up its forces in the area around the clock.
The attacks that began on Sunday had previously been limited to Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Buri Ram, which adjoins Sa Kaeo.
The situation in Sa Kaeo deteriorated after Thai security forces began a crackdown on Cambodian encroachers in Ban Nong Chan and Ban Nong Ya Kaew in Khok Sung district after the first round of the border clashes ended on July 28 with a ceasefire, brokered by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and US President Donald Trump, signed by the two countries.
The Sa Kaeo Public Health Office on Monday announced the temporary closure of all public services at border district hospitals in the province — Ta Phraya, Khok Sung, Aranyaprather and Khlong Hat — until further notice. The hospitals will accept only emergency cases, it said.
Provincial authorities have ordered people in the four districts to evacuate to emergency shelters for their own safety until the tense situation is resolved.