Supreme Commander Regrets Having to Retaliate to Cambodia

The Thai armed forces supreme commander has expressed regretted having to retaliate against Cambodia, but reiterated that it was necessary.

Supreme Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Songkitti Jaggabatara commented on the UN Security Council's call for a permanent ceasefire and a bilateral talk between Thailand and Cambodia over the current border conflict, saying the Thai military's primary job is to protect the country's sovereignty, while the Foreign Affairs Ministry is responsible for conducting cross border negotiations.

The supreme commander said that the armed forces must follow the rules of engagement strictly and will only use force as a last resort, to protect the Thai people and its sovereignty.

When asked if the Thai and Cambodian defense ministers would sign a ceasefire agreement, Songkitti refused to comment, saying the negotiation is not the responsibility of the armed forces.

Meanwhile, the supreme commander has urged all sides not to harm civilians and expressed regret over the use of force against Cambodia.

He said it would be best for the two countries to live side-by-side peacefully and work to together towards development.

Regarding criticism that the Thai military has been soft in retaliating against Cambodia, Songkitti said that the Thai soldiers are well-disciplined and have been following rules of engagement.

On a claim made by the People's Alliance for Democracy that the Second Army Region commander has a conflict of interest at the Thai-Cambodian border, Songkitti said he does not want to make the issue a political one, and that the armed forces must perform their duty with confidence.

-- Tan Network 2011-02-17

Thai army to protect national sovereignty

BANGKOK, 17 February 2011 (NNT) –The Royal Thai Army is duty-bound to protect the country’s sovereignty as well as to look after the people’s life and property, says Supreme Commander General Songkitti Jaggabatara.

In light of the United Nations Security Council calling for Thailand and Cambodia to seek a permanent ceasefire and to resolve their border conflict through effective dialogue, General Songkitti said the army would do all it could to protect the nation’s sovereignty while the talks were going on.

The supreme commander said the army would deploy heavy artillery against its enemy only when it was necessary; and if that was called for, Thai troops would act in line with the Rules of Engagement (ROE).

The General also said it was the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ responsibility to end the border conflicts via existing mechanism including bilateral talks through the Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) or any other committee meetings.

The supreme commander also shrugged off the accusation made by the People’s Alliance for Democracy that Second Army Region Commander Lieutenant General Thawatchai Samutsakorn had vested interests in the disputed border areas.

The PAD earlier alleged that a certain influential military officer in the Second Army Region, implying that it was the second region commander, had been receiving 300,000 THB each month from Cambodian authorities.

-- NNT 2011-02-17

"The supreme commander also shrugged off the accusation made by the People’s Alliance for Democracy that Second Army Region Commander Lieutenant General Thawatchai Samutsakorn had vested interests in the disputed border areas.

The PAD earlier alleged that a certain influential military officer in the Second Army Region, implying that it was the second region commander, had been receiving 300,000 THB each month from Cambodian authorities."

It's a shame the second army regional commander fails to follow the clear chain of command which has the PAD leadership at the top.

The first article says:

the UN Security Council's call for a permanent ceasefire and a bilateral talk between Thailand and Cambodia

The second article says:

the United Nations Security Council calling for Thailand and Cambodia to seek a permanent ceasefire and to resolve their border conflict through effective dialogue,

I understand the UN didn't make a reference to bilateral talks.

The first article says:

the UN Security Council's call for a permanent ceasefire and a bilateral talk between Thailand and Cambodia

The second article says:

the United Nations Security Council calling for Thailand and Cambodia to seek a permanent ceasefire and to resolve their border conflict through effective dialogue,

I understand the UN didn't make a reference to bilateral talks.

Anyway, it's mentioned "effective dialogue", it's exactly what Thailand refuses to do since 3 years.

After each JCB meeting, Thailand does not ratify, so JCB is dead, Thailand killed it. No possible dialogue now.