Army Chief Visits Sa Kaeo Border, Stresses National Interests

Picture courtesy of Workpoint

The Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Army, General Phana Klaewplotthuk, visited the Thai-Cambodian border in Sa Kaeo province on 12 September 2025 to oversee operations and underline the importance of safeguarding national interests. His visit aimed to ensure military readiness and align operational planning with government policy. The inspection highlighted ongoing concerns about sovereignty infringements in key areas along the border.

During the afternoon visit, Gen Phana, who also serves as Director of the Army Operations Centre, arrived at the Burapha Task Force headquarters in Watthana Nakhon district. He was received by Lieutenant General Amarit Boonsuya, Commander of the First Army Region and the First Army Operations Centre. The trip included briefings on the current situation and progress in resolving sovereignty issues in three sensitive areas: Ban Nong Chan, Ban Nong Ya Kaeo, and Ban Ta Phraya in Sa Kaeo province.

Gen Phana took the opportunity to meet with battalion-level commanders stationed in the field. He thanked and encouraged soldiers for their strength, sacrifice and endurance in carrying out their duties. He stressed the need for commanders to assess and maintain unit readiness in line with the army’s operational plans to respond effectively to any emerging situation.

The Army Chief also emphasised the importance of following up on outcomes from national and bilateral discussions related to the border. This included the 10 September 2025 Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, which addressed border management through the pilot “Ban Nong Chan model” under the responsibility of the Burapha Task Force. He reiterated that all actions must adhere to Thailand’s sovereignty and prioritise the country’s interests.

Additionally, Gen Phana called for comprehensive support through documented evidence demonstrating Cambodian violations of the ceasefire agreement along the border. He said such material should be provided to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies to be raised in international forums and lodged as formal protests through diplomatic channels. These steps are intended to strengthen Thailand’s position on border security and sovereignty in the global arena.

Key Takeaways

• Army Chief Gen Phana inspected Sa Kaeo border operations on 12 September 2025.

• He urged strict alignment with government policy and protection of sovereignty.

• Evidence of Cambodian ceasefire violations will be used for international reporting.

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  Adapted by Asean Now from Workpoint 2025-09-13