The announcement followed reports of Cambodian soldiers, believed to be from the Bodyguard Headquarters (BHQ) unit of Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, were spotted near the border monitoring Thai patrol activity, reports the Bangkok Post.
On Saturday, the 2nd Army Region also alleged that Cambodian soldiers crossed illegally into Thailand’s Surin province to plant a PMN-2 anti-personnel landmine, violating both international agreements and the bilateral ceasefire.
Lt Gen Boonsin was answering reporters’ questions about the approaching Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting between the two countries, planned for Chong Sa-ngam crossing in Phu Sing district of Si Sa Ket tomorrow.
He said Thai proposals to be made at the talks were the same as those proposed by the 1st Army Region and the Navy Task Force in earlier talks – landmine clearance, joint action against cross-border call centre scams, and establishment of border coordination groups.
Lt Gen Boonsin confirmed landmine clearance proposed to Cambodia must cover all areas along the border, not only locations clearly claimed by each side. However, it was not certain the other side would accept this condition, Lt Gen Boonsin said.
On the issue of the barbed wire concertina fencing strung along parts of the disputed border, Cambodia had proposed Thailand remove it, the commander said.
The Thai army would not accept that proposal as the barbed wire was set along the established Thai border.
Asked if he expected any agreement to emerge from the meetings of the General Border Committee (GBC) and Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), Lt Gen Boonsin said that depended on the Cambodian leadership. Their acceptance would lead to implementation, including the issue of disarmament, he said.
“The talk about BHQ units monitoring Thai soldiers’ patrols, that is only an assumption,” Lt Gen Boonsin said. “The Thai army will open fire if they see any encroachment on our territory.”
He said he had given guidance to his troops, saying they could respond immediately if they detected any encroachment, including laying of landmines, which Cambodia has allegedly been doing in violation of the ceasefire agreement.
Thailand has clear, visible evidence of Cambodia’s violations, the commander said, and landmines were still being found in the border area. He said he was responding to misinformation repeatedly posted by Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence spokeswoman Lt Gen Maly Socheata.
Asked if Hun Sen’s position as Cambodia’s head of state would affect the situation, Lt Gen Boonsin said that depended on Hun Sen’s policies.
Whatever happened, the army was always ready to cope with it. As for the Thai side, that also depended on the government, he added.
Lt Gen Boonsin said the issue of the phone conversation between suspended prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra and Hun Sen was more a political matter.
He did not believe the outcome of the court case would affect the GBC meeting next month. The court ruling in this case is due to be announced on Friday.