Report Defence Minister Quashes Coup Rumours Amid Thai-Cambodian Tensions

[webfact]

File photo courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

Thailand's Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has swiftly brushed aside concerns about a potential coup following public dissent over the government's handling of the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border tensions.

 

The minister, speaking out in response to coup talks stirred by some nationalist voices, assured everyone that he maintains open communication with military leaders, all pointing to no signs of military intervention.

Phumtham urged those fuelling nationalist fervour to recognise that war is best avoided and cautioned against stirring problems.

 

He advised the public to stay optimistic, stressing the importance of separating issues of national sovereignty from those of diplomatic relations. The minister highlighted that global challenges require diplomacy to resolve disputes.

 

Many are questioning the military's strong stance, with some speculating it might ignite a coup, yet the defence minister affirmed the army's commitment to its duties without any conflict with the government. He firmly stated that the army is prepared to defend national sovereignty.

 

The discussion comes in the wake of border clashes at Chong Bok, where the death of a Cambodian soldier on May 28 prompted the Thai 2nd Army Region to call on the government to temporarily close the border with Cambodia due to alleged trespassing.

 

However, in a move indicating an effort to ease tensions, Mr Phumtham discouraged the military from fully closing the border, acknowledging Cambodia's recent filing with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to address disputed territories.

 

This decision has left some military elements disgruntled, and public sentiment is rising, questioning whether the Thai leadership appears weaker in contrast to Cambodia. Some critiques have hinted at possible influences from the Shinawatra family's interests, particularly former Cambodian leader Hun Sen.

 

Meanwhile, former yellow-shirt leaders and conservative academics, known for their opposition to ex-PM Thaksin Shinawatra, have urged the current government to adopt a stronger stance on the border disputes.

 

Facing pressure, the government's response to the border issues has also been entangled with ongoing controversies regarding Thaksin's extended hospital stay and Pheu Thai's push for the casino bill.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-07

 

 

[Quentin Zen]

I'm reading 12,000 Cambodian mobilized (not sure if total or just additional), Facebook messages to people for Ubon to Buriram (in Thai) that really do sound alarming (won't post because it might just be fake news)............you never know what can happen.    Maybe now's not the time to start building your retirement house near the border.  

[webfact]

Cambodia Masses 12,000 Soldiers at Thai Border Amid Tensions

 

Full story: https://aseannow.com/topic/1362929-cambodia-masses-12000-soldiers-at-thai-border-amid-tensions/

[redwood1]

Those darn Cambodians.....Creating a distraction from Tonys day in court where he can finally prove his innocence......That he really was sick for 6 months....

[ozz1]

 i love the smell of a coup in the morning 

[hotchilli]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

The minister highlighted that global challenges require diplomacy to resolve disputes.

Thailand usually sits on the fence, however this one's in their backyard.

[Burma Bill]

6 hours ago, webfact said:

brushed aside concerns about a potential coup

 

Oh really!

 

[ronnie50]

It still looks like an initial Thai unilateral action for a possibly alternative reason and outcome (not the border). It's not clear Cambodia did anything wrong or out of the ordinary in that disputed area. And so the timing of this is very suspicious. The Thai Defense Minister still hasn't answered whether he was asked for a green light for the Thai army to take all these steps. Or whether they just do whatever they want.. and maybe, as a courtesy, tell him later - or not.

[Purdey]

Every Thai politician in history has brushed aside coup rumours. 

Cambodia is a traditional adversary of Thailand for many reasons so border skirmishes can be expected on occasion. However, Thailand's generals are better at business than war so let's hope they avoid a full out war.

[candide]

Troops stationed in Bangkok are under direct royal command.....

[DezLez]

8 minutes ago, candide said:

Troops stationed in Bangkok are under direct royal command.....

Surely all Thai troops are under "Royal Command" anywhere in Thailand!

[candide]

4 hours ago, DezLez said:

Surely all Thai troops are under "Royal Command" anywhere in Thailand!

I wrote "direct" royal command. This is a change implemented by the current king for reasons understandable to members who know a bit the recent history. 

[Bundooman]

4 hours ago, candide said:

I wrote "direct" royal command. This is a change implemented by the current king for reasons understandable to members who know a bit the recent history. 

Got it!

(Shhh..... obviously you are the one, 'in the know?'' nudge-nudge, wink wink)

Well done you.

Thank you for your valuable input that you know 'a bit about the recent history'

[BangkokReady]

1 hour ago, Bundooman said:

6 hours ago, candide said:

I wrote "direct" royal command. This is a change implemented by the current king for reasons understandable to members who know a bit the recent history. 

Got it!

(Shhh..... obviously you are the one, 'in the know?'' nudge-nudge, wink wink)

Well done you.

Thank you for your valuable input that you know 'a bit about the recent history'

 

This was done very publicly.  It's not rumour or theory.  

[Sydebolle]

We're getting closer to the point. Read what happened in 2008; same scenario. The whole ranigazoo is to justify a military coup, yet the real reason might be the disintegration of the coalition government = thug of war. 

Imagine, military coup will dethrone the present "democratically elected" government professionally puppet mastered which is not at all to the military's liking. Once the government has been forcefully replaced, a Thai big wig in arms will settle the conflict in Phnom Penh and it will be business as usual - until the next incident. 

 

Nobody in uniform along the border shoots anywhere without being instructed from above; cross-border requires even higher ups to bless the activity. Your call ....... 

[Hunz Kittisak]

12 hours ago, candide said:

Troops stationed in Bangkok are under direct royal command.....

Yes no more coups

Its a thing of the past

The military already been neutered by Mr T even before he was back 

 

[candide]

3 hours ago, Bundooman said:

Got it!

(Shhh..... obviously you are the one, 'in the know?'' nudge-nudge, wink wink)

Well done you.

Thank you for your valuable input that you know 'a bit about the recent history'

It was an official decision.

The fact that you don't understand that it's better to not explicitly discuss some subjects in Thailand confirms your level of ignorance.

Thailand’s king puts key army units under palace authority

https://apnews.com/international-news-general-news-96144d07efe149ba8a8f7c7d3491962b

 

[dinsdale]

1 hour ago, Hunz Kittisak said:

Yes no more coups

Its a thing of the past

The military already been neutered by Mr T even before he was back 

 

You're joking. It's the military elite establishment who by way of a deal allowed Thaksin back in. The military will never be neutralized here.

[Hunz Kittisak]

On 6/8/2025 at 1:25 PM, dinsdale said:

You're joking. It's the military elite establishment who by way of a deal allowed Thaksin back in. The military will never be neutralized here.

And what transpired after that shows the military is not in control now anymore