Defense Minister Confronts Cambodian Counterpart Over Border Troop Behavior

BANGKOK — Defence Minister Gen. Natthaphon Narkphanit has raised serious concerns with Cambodian Defence Minister Gen. Tea Seiha regarding forest fires and troop conduct along the Thai-Cambodian border. Speaking at the Royal Thai Air Force headquarters on 23 February 2026, Natthaphon complained about Cambodian soldiers burning forest areas near the frontier, which could potentially spread into Thai territory and trigger conflicts. The minister accused Cambodian troops of lacking discipline and spreading false information, including an unsubstantiated claim that Thai troops had shot a Cambodian soldier. To address border security challenges, Natthaphon proposed constructing permanent fencing along the 798-kilometer border, potentially including electronic and CCTV systems in strategic areas. He suggested alternative approaches such as developing some border sections into tourist sites or memorial areas to ensure civilian monitoring, and potentially creating self-defence border villages for veterans. Natthaphon emphasized the need to maintain current troop deployments while acknowledging the long-term cost of such measures.