Report Thailand Scrambles to Tackle Escalating Border Tensions

[snoop1130]

Photo of Cambodian police and soldiers looking across the border at Chong Chom courtesy of Bangkok Post

 

Thailand is facing heightened border tensions, prompting Senator Sawat Thatsana to urge the Senate to establish a dedicated committee to address the growing security crisis. He emphasised the need for immediate action due to a surge in border incursions, unresolved territorial disputes, and ongoing unrest in the southern regions.

 

Yesterday, Sawat identified several urgent flashpoints. These include incursions by Myanmar’s United Wa State Army — also known as the Red Wa Army — territorial disputes with Cambodia near the volatile Chong Bok area, and continuous unrest in Thailand’s three southern provinces.

 

Highlighting the ease with which criminals exploit Thailand’s porous borders to evade capture, Sawat stressed, “These are not isolated incidents. They reflect complex, layered issues that span economic development, politics, culture, human rights, and historical tensions.”

 

Sawat proposes that the Senate committee should develop recommendations to strengthen border defences, improve regional diplomacy, and promote lasting peace. The goal is to ensure that policies address the interconnected challenges faced by the country's border zones.

 

“The Senate must be proactive in addressing these threats. It’s not just about defence — it’s about building trust, safeguarding communities, and ensuring our borders are secure from infiltration and instability,” Sawat asserted.

 

His proposal will be formally presented to the Senate today, with a decision on the committee's formation expected within the next 90 days.

 

This initiative comes as concerns mount over the potential escalation of Thailand’s border issues without a centralised body for crafting cross-sector solutions. While various government agencies manage different aspects of border affairs, there is currently no overarching committee to coordinate strategy and cohesive action.

 

If approved, this new Senate body could play a pivotal role in shaping Thailand’s national security agenda and its delicate relationships with neighbouring countries, ultimately aiming for stability and peace.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from The Thaiger 2025-07-17

 

 

[FlorC]

Time for the army to take over.

[hotchilli]

Thailand unraveling....

[damian]

Quick! Double the defence budget! 

[DPKANKAN]

19 minutes ago, damian said:

Quick! Double the defence budget! 

Damn!!!! Where's that Chinky submarine when you need it????5555🤣😂🤣😂

[pest]

China is behind all this <deleted> 

[Srikcir]

1 hour ago, damian said:

Quick! Double the defence budget! 

Buy more submarines!

[Srikcir]

2 hours ago, FlorC said:

Time for the army to take over.

When did it ever lose control since 1932?

[Srikcir]

16 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

ongoing unrest in the southern regions

An understated comment.

The "unrest" has been a Malay Muslim insurrection over decades with thousands killed while Thai governments and the military seem unable to achieve any peaceful resolutions. 

[bendejo]

Maybe them and the Cambos can just exchange bribes then get back to business as usual.

 

[greeneking]

2 hours ago, FlorC said:

Time for the army to take over.

It's OK. They are forming a committee.

[Watawattana]

5 minutes ago, greeneking said:

It's OK. They are forming a committee.

Yup!  There shall be a resolution by the end of next week.

 

Resolution to 'what' is the question of course, maybe where the next batch of brown envelopes can be stored?

[Tidal wave]

Look out when they form a sub-committee