Thai PM Visits Sa Kaeo to Address Border Control and Safety

Picture courtesy of Bangkok Post

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to visit Sa Kaeo province on Thursday, focusing on border security and supporting personnel amid heightened concerns about cross-border crime.

Speaking on Wednesday, government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub announced that the visit will start at 10 a.m. Key cabinet members, including Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Prime Minister's Secretary-General Dr. Prommin Lertsuridej, will accompany her, along with senior officials from the Interior, Commerce, and Digital Economy ministries.

The prime minister’s agenda kicks off at Aranyaprathet School, where she will chair discussions on new regulations affecting the Thai-Cambodian border. The meeting, led by First Army Region officials, will tackle issues concerning trade, agriculture, and transnational crimes like call centre scams.

Following this, she will visit the Ban Khlong Luek checkpoint, located opposite Cambodia's Poipet. Here, she plans to engage with local residents, business operators, and on-duty officers to gain firsthand insights.

In the afternoon, Ms. Paetongtarn will meet with troops at Ban Dong Ngu, Border Patrol Police officers, and students from a local school. She will also interact with volunteer defence officers at the Aranyaprathet District Office.

Mr. Jirayu emphasized the Prime Minister's intent to address concerns from border officials and locals regarding public safety, economic challenges, and morale among law enforcement. "The government is dedicated to ensuring national security and encouraging border stability," he stated.

On the diplomatic front, Deputy Foreign Affairs Ministry spokeswoman Maratee Nalita Andamo confirmed that humanitarian exemptions remain unchanged, despite stricter border measures. Over 7,000 Cambodians have returned home under these exemptions, with medical cases given priority.

Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman for the Thai-Cambodian Border Situation Administration Centre, clarified that Thailand’s crackdown targets criminal networks involved in cross-border cybercrime and trafficking, not ordinary citizens. He urged Cambodia to cooperate in these efforts.

The visit underscores Thailand’s commitment to addressing the complexities of border management while maintaining strong relations with neighboring countries.

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Bangkok Post 2025-06-26