Government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said Mr Phumtham tabled the order at the Cabinet meeting at Government House yesterday (Aug 5).
He wanted local and international legal action against Cambodia for its use of soldiers and weaponry to attack Thailand, reports the Bangkok Post.
The attacks caused damage to property and the lives of Thai citizens and the military, and civil service organisations, Mr Jirayu said.
According to the government spokesman, legal action will be taken in accordance with local and international criminal and civil laws and other relevant laws.
The Office of the National Security Council will take the lead in the legal action and affected organisations will also participate - including the army, the Interior Ministry and the Public Health Ministry.
The secretary-general of the Council of State, the government’s legal adviser, will give relevant advice to speed up the process.
The legal action was aimed at capturing and punishing wrongdoers and demanding those responsible for the Cambodian attacks pay damages.
Officials would also inform affected people of their right to sue those behind the Cambodian attacks, Mr Jirayu said.
Compensation
Meanwhile the Cabinet has approved compensation of B10 million for the families of each soldier and government official killed in last month’s border conflict with Cambodia, and B8mn for each civilian victim’s family, Mr Phumtham.
The acting PM announced the decision during a media briefing on key government resolutions under the theme “Overcoming Two Crises, Moving Forward Together”, yesterday afternoon.
The announcement addressed recent national challenges affecting Thailand’s security and economic stability: escalating violence along the Thai-Cambodian border since February, and trade tensions with the United States.
Mr Phumtham expressed deep condolences to all families affected by the border conflict, acknowledging that no monetary value can truly compensate for the loss of life.
The Cabinet approved a total of B405mn in compensation for those affected between July 16 and Aug 2. In addition, B1mn compensation was approved for serious injuries, B500,000 for moderate injuries to soldiers and state officials, and corresponding sums of B800,000 and B400,000 for civilians. Government agencies have also been asked to gather additional information in preparation for providing compensation for damaged property.
A total of 15 soldiers and 17 civilians lost their lives as a result of the clashes between July 24 and 28, according to figures from the Royal Thai Armed Forces.
The conflict, which stemmed from what Thailand described as repeated provocations and disinformation campaigns by Cambodia, have now de-escalated.
Talks are currently under way in Kuala Lumpur between the two nations under the framework of the General Border Committee (GBC). The main event will take place tomorrow, with the defence ministers of Thailand and Cambodia participating, and observers from China, the United States and Malaysia also attending.
To counter the spread of fake news, especially on social media, Thailand’s Cabinet approved the establishment of a special committee tasked with monitoring, verifying and analysing online content, Mr Phumtham said.
The move aims to prevent misinformation from undermining national security and public safety, he added.