Border barbed wire not being dismantled despite protest: Minister

THAILAND will not dismantle the border barbed wire fence despite Cambodian villagers protesting in Sa Kaeo that it be removed, Amarin TV and Naewna newspaper said yesterday and today (Aug. 17-18).

Acting Defence Minister Gen. Nattapol Nakphanit said despite social media speculation that the concertina wire fencing would be eventually removed to promote peace at this key border province this would not be done at least as long as he is in charge of the ministry.

This followed Thai soldiers having additionally finished spreading black canvas with surveillance cameras and solar-powered spotlights also installed at this border crossing.

The black canvas was put up because Cambodians used vulgar and insulting language, which annoyed the Thai soldiers.

Nattapol added that the Regional Border Committee (RBC) meeting between VADM Aphichat Sapprasert, head of the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defence Command, and Maj. Gen. Uy Hiang, head of Cambodia’s 3rd Military Region, yielded no conclusions with Cambodia refusing to clear landmines and suppress call centre scammers just as they did at the General Border Committee meeting.

On Cambodia requesting postponement of the next RBC meeting Nattapol said this is acceptable because while Cambodia has one negotiating team Thailand had separate ones and they would now have to discuss with Thailand’s 1st and 2nd Army regional teams.

CAPTIONS:

This and Front Page: Cambodian villagers protesting at Sa Kaeo border crossing yesterday, Aug. 17. 2025. Photos: Naewna

Insert: Acting Defence Minister Gen. Nattapol Nakphanit and the border fence. Photo: Amarin TV