Army chief orders troops on alert along Thai-Cambodian border

Thai Army Commander-in-Chief Gen Pana Klaewplodthuk has ordered troops stationed at Mounts 225 and 350 and at the Ta Kwai temple ruins in Phanom Dongrak district of Surin province to maintain combat readiness and remain on alert to respond to any breach of Thai territorial sovereignty by Cambodian forces.

The army chief issued the order during an inspection visit to the three strategic locations, which were the scenes of fierce fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces last December.

He told the media that his visit on Saturday was intended to assess the combat readiness of the troops. He also reminded them of their duty to protect Thai sovereignty and national security, and offered moral support.

During the visit, he was briefed on the situation in the area and provided recommendations to field commanders.