Thai military top brass meeting today as troops raise combat readiness

The commanders of Thailand’s three armed forces will hold a special meeting this afternoon, at the Air Force headquarters, to discuss the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border, as the army, navy and air force raise their combat readiness.

Supreme Commander Gen Songwit Noonpackdee will chair the closed-door meeting at 2pm.

Navy Commander in chief Admiral Jirapol Wongwit said that this afternoon's meeting will focus on the border tension with Cambodia, so that the Thai side will have a shared understanding and coordinated development regarding the situation. As for the Navy, he said the troops are ready to protect the country’s security and territorial integrity.

Meanwhile, Colonel Chainarong Kasee, commander of the 12th infantry regiment of the Royal Guards and the infantry task force regiment, told the media that his troops were ordered to check that all their equipment is in good working order.

Lt-Gen Narongrit Kamphira, commander of the special forces, said his troops, who are tasked with providing support, have been put on alert and told to check their weaponry and combat techniques.

Combat aircraft, at the 21st air wing base in Ubon Ratchathani, have been checked for their readiness to provide air support to ground troops and to protect the Thai territorial sovereignty.

Likewise, the long distance naval task force, based in the southern province of Nakhon Si Thammarat, is on the alert and combat ready.