Army Deputy Chief Orders Enhanced Border Security to Close Smuggling Routes, Warns Residents to Report Before Collecting Forest Products

The Army Deputy Chief of Staff has ordered enhanced border security to close smuggling routes, urging residents to notify officials, headmen, and village elders before collecting forest products.

At 10:00 a.m. on May 13, 2025, at Don Mueang Military Air Base, General Chaiyapruks Duangpraphat, Army Chief of Staff, discussed his inspection of the Sai Takoo checkpoint area in Buriram Province to monitor border security operations and visited Abhiruk Butpet at his home in Ban Krot District, Buriram Province. The resident had encountered an armed group of Cambodian soldiers while collecting forest products in the area.

General Chaiyapruks stated he visited the area to assess vulnerable gaps after receiving reports from residents that Cambodian soldiers may be using these passages to infiltrate. He confirmed discussions with military commanders about strengthening area control and announced plans to check surveillance equipment including sensors and drones to improve civilian protection.

When asked whether the intruders were Cambodian military or illegal smugglers, the general confirmed they were Cambodian soldiers because both residents affirmed the armed personnel stood at close range and displayed threatening body language. However, the residents' familiarity with the terrain allowed them to escape before the soldiers could apprehend them.

Local military commanders subsequently spoke with the Cambodian soldiers, cautioning them to be careful and refrain from any actions affecting Thai citizens.

When asked if the general assessed whether the Cambodian soldiers came to gather intelligence or for another purpose, he stated that given the complex jungle terrain, multiple scenarios were possible—they could be conducting reconnaissance, searching for forest products, surveying Thai military positions, or infiltrating the area deliberately.

Regarding whether this violated the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Statement, the general said if evidence existed, action would be taken, though currently they only had local residents' accounts.

Concerning Yot Sainoi, a Surin Province resident detained by Cambodian soldiers while collecting forest products near the Thai-Cambodian border, the general noted that the Thai consulate and Foreign Ministry are expediting assistance efforts. Local military and police are also coordinating to provide rapid help.

He urged residents to inform government officials, headmen, village elders, and local military and police before collecting forest products, even though it is a traditional livelihood. This allows officials to know where Thai citizens are located—if someone goes missing without notifying authorities, discovering their fate becomes too late.

The general pledged to inspect vulnerable areas prone to conflict and deploy soldiers for oversight.