Thai troops authorised to retaliate immediately if Cambodia violates border
Thai troops are authorised to conduct immediate retaliation if Cambodian forces are found violating Thailand’s territory, Second Army Region Commander Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang said yesterday.
He was responding to the Thai army’s recent revelation that Cambodia’s special military unit, the Bodyguard Headquarters (BHQ), had been spotted near the border, where Cambodian soldiers attempted to plant landmines on Thai soil.
“The Cambodian BHQ troops have been secretly observing Thai patrols. If they violate our sovereignty, we will fire. If they move quickly into our territory, my troops are instructed to respond immediately, including against landmine placement,” Boonsin said.
He insisted that his soldiers would fire warning shots first to deter intruders, followed by live fire if the warnings were ignored.
The commander, who is set to retire next month, was giving a special lecture entitled “The Truth from the Border” at Kasetsart University.
Lt Gen Boonsin stressed that battlefield decisions often involve split-second choices — whether to attack or hold, to negotiate or stand firm.
“People criticised me, asking why the army did not strike back immediately. But responsibilities go beyond the battlefield,” he said.
“We must consider the economy, society, and the risk of war. If we fight at the wrong time, the world may condemn us as aggressors. Was it worth it if 15 families became widows overnight? Worth it for the land, yes. But for other costs? We must weigh carefully.”
He warned that commanders who act with force but without thought risk becoming dictators.
“Thailand would be condemned immediately. In our case, our response was justified because they fired first.”
Recounting the five-day clashes with Cambodia from July 24–28, he said he had already warned that fighting was inevitable because Thai forces had to close the Ta Muen Thom Temple in Surin province.
“Closing Ta Muen Thom Temple was the hardest decision. We requested permission to close it at around 1am, and at dawn they opened fire, accusing us of closing their territory. But it was our territory too. That was the start of four nights and five days of fighting, during which we regained several square kilometres,” he said.
“Everything was planned, not emotional. The training we received, we used for the nation. I assure the public of that,” he added.
When asked if clashes could erupt again along the Thai–Cambodian border, he said: “It depends on Cambodia’s leadership and their troops’ behaviour. If they act aggressively or provoke us, we have the right to respond.”