Thailand proposes troop cutback along Cambodian border to reduce costs

The Defence Ministry has proposed a gradual withdrawal of troops stationed along the Thai-Cambodian border to the Defence Council, in order to reduce costs, said Defence Minister Nattaphon Nakpanich today.

For now and in the near future, it remains essential to maintain a military presence along the mostly un-demarcated border between Thailand and Cambodia, especially in areas which Thai troops recaptured from Cambodian forces during the fierce fighting in December, the minister said.

He pointed out that the Cambodian government has sent more soldiers to the border area and many of them are undisciplined and provocative.

He admitted, though, that maintaining troops along the 798km long border at all times is not possible and very costly, adding he has proposed a gradual troop withdrawal to the Defence Council, while improving border fencing and building villages for war veterans who will help look after the border.

The defence minister said that, in populated areas such as Klong Luek, which is opposite the Cambodian town of Poipet, and the Thmor Da scam hub, opposite Trat province, the border fencing should be strengthened and equipped with electronic monitoring equipment.

Other areas, such as Chong An Ma, Chong Bok and Phu Makua, could be developed into tourist attractions, he added.

Nattaphon also said that he has lodged a complaint with his Cambodian counterpart about the lack of discipline among Cambodian soldiers and the forest fires set near the Thai border recently, which, he added, may lead to border tensions.