មេបញ្ជាការកងទ័ពជើងគោកថៃ ទល់នឹងរដ្ឋាភិបាលដែលកំពុងតស៊ូក្នុងជម្លោះកម្ពុជា
BANGKOK — The Thai military and government were forced to issue competing clarifying statements within hours following controversial remarks by Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, Commander of the Second Army Region, about military objectives to reclaim the disputed Ta Kwai temple from Cambodia. His comments have exposed a deepening power imbalance between Thailand’s civilian leadership and its popular military commanders.
Lt Gen Boonsin’s interview sparked immediate backlash from Cambodia, which denounced his remarks as provocative, particularly troubling given that military representatives from both nations had recently met and agreed to de-escalate tensions during a General Border Committee (GBC) meeting.
“This declaration is irrefutable evidence of provocation and a deliberate and premeditated attempt to invade Cambodian territory,” Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said in a statement issued on August 10.
Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suwaree quickly countered that Lt Gen Boonsin’s interview did not carry the meaning interpreted by Cambodia’s Defense Ministry, emphasizing that he did not discuss troop movements to violate Cambodian sovereignty.
“What the Second Army Region commander said was that Ta Kwai temple falls under Thai sovereignty. During past clashes, attempts were made to seize it through force deployment, but this was unsuccessful, so forces were positioned outside, about 30 meters from the temple structure. In the future, efforts must be made to bring it back under Thai control through appropriate procedures,” the army spokesperson explained.
Government Scrambles to Contain Fallout
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued separate clarifications, calling Cambodia’s interpretation a “misrepresentation” and reaffirming that Thai forces remain in ceasefire positions as agreed during the Extraordinary GBC Meeting.
“Thailand reiterates our call on Cambodia to also strictly adhere and implement the terms of the ceasefire, particularly on refraining from disseminating false information or fake news, to avoid misunderstanding among the people on both sides, and create an environment conducive to peaceful dialogue.”
The military announced plans to discuss various matters in the Regional Border Committee framework scheduled for the next two weeks, while firmly stating Thailand will not withdraw from its current force deployment positions.
Government Appears Relegated to a Secondary Role
Lt Gen Boonsin’s latest remarks, which resonate strongly with Thai nationalist groups, followed by hasty government damage control, highlight how the civilian administration increasingly appears relegated to a secondary role in both decision-making and public messaging. This follows the controversial change in border checkpoint operating hours ordered by the Second Army Region that angered Cambodia.
The situation worsened when a leaked private conversation between Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Senate President Hun Sen surfaced, in which she criticized Lt Gen Boonsin as opposing the government’s approach.
“He wants to look tough, so he says things that aren’t beneficial to the nation. But what we really want is peace like before the border clashes,” Paetongtarn said. She later claimed these words were merely negotiating tactics and affirmed that the government and military work as one team. This statement came before she was suspended from her PM duties by the Constitutional Court.
Her criticism of the popular Second Army Region commander appears to be one of the few clear dissenting voices from the political establishment, as even opposition parties have barely spoken against the military’s stance. Nearly all People’s Party members praise the military while criticizing the government’s handling of the Cambodia issue.
Public Backs Military Over Government
Recent opinion polls conducted by various organizations, including NIDA Poll, asked respondents to distinguish between confidence in the government versus the military regarding protecting the country while facing Cambodia. Thai respondents overwhelmingly placed their confidence in the military while showing little trust in the government.
Thai public attitudes toward the military often fluctuate with political events. The worst instance in contemporary politics occurred in 2010 when military force was used to suppress Red Shirt protesters, resulting in 99 deaths.
However, during multiple democratic crises, many of Thailand’s middle and upper classes have supported military intervention through at least three coups, including two that targeted Shinawatra family prime ministers in 2006 and 2014.
Political Future Hangs in Balance
Under Thailand’s current judicial system, Paetongtarn’s political fate rests more with court decisions than military intervention. Meanwhile, no political party or faction dares confront the military’s widespread popularity, particularly that of the Second Army Region commander scheduled to retire in late September.
Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai was asked about growing calls to extend Lt Gen Boonsin’s service, saying this would require reviewing regulations. “In the past, there has never been any service extension for anyone to continue in position, but extending time while still in service is possible, with the military making the consideration.”
“Don’t let the system become distorted. It will create problems in various government administration systems,” Phumtham warned.
When reporters pressed him about the Second Army Region commander’s temple reclamation statements that raised Cambodian suspicions, the acting PM deflected: “When the military, which is the main actor, has confirmed it’s not as Cambodia interpreted, the matter ends there. Thailand has not violated any agreements.”
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