FOLLOWING a brief clash between Thai and Cambodian troops at Chong Bok, Ubon Ratchathani province, early this morning (May 28) Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said this evening that she held talks with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on resolving the border problem quickly but she kept mum on her father/de facto Pheu Thai boss Thaksin Shinawatra calling for a drug war against United Wa State Army, also known as Red Wa, TV Channel 7 said.
She added that she had been briefed by Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Gen. Pana Klaewplodthukand and the Defence Ministry on the 10-minute clash from 5.30 a.m. onwards.
However, when reporters asked her about Thaksin calling for a war against Red Wa to solve the drug problem, the Prime Minister did not give an answer and left the Parliament.
Meanwhile People’s MP Rangsiman Rome, who is also chairman of the National Security Committee, commented on Thaksin having said the government must wage a drug war against Red Wa that this group is currently the world’s largest source of drugs, especially methamphetamine, and if nothing is done they will spread further in the country with the situation definitely getting worse, Amarin TV said.
Thailand’s status regarding drugs can be divided into two parts – a destination and an export hub.
Rangsiman added that the Red Wa are not afraid of the Thai government as can be seen by their gold and rare earth mining having contaminated Kok river leading to local residents in Chiang Rai province protesting.
When asked to stop these activities the Red Wa would not do so because they felt Thailand could not do anything to them.
While talks should be held with other Asean countries on this issue, discussions must also be held with China because it borders Myanmar, he said, adding both light and strong measures must be taken against Red Wa but there must be a deadline.
He also mentioned that Paetongtarn should be the leader in this matter and while she might seek Thaksin’s advice because he is her father the country had a problem if people had to wait to hear from Thaksin. This is part of the reason Red Wa do not respect Thailand, feeling that she did not have the leadership to tackle the problems or do anything to them.
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Photos of trenches dug by Cambodian soldiers in an overlapping area at Chong Bok, Ubon Ratchathani province. Credit: Naewna
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