Cabinet Approves 433 Million Baht for Border Security
The Cabinet approved 433.5 million baht for Thai-Cambodian border security, funding shelters, warning towers, and communication systems across seven provinces to protect residents and officials from clashes and emergencies.
On August 18, Deputy Government Spokesperson Lalida Pongwisara announced that the Cabinet has approved an emergency reserve budget of 433,519,268 baht for the Department of Local Administration under the Ministry of Interior to implement a project supporting management and protection of rear-line areas in Thai-Cambodian border provinces. The funding aims to enhance safety for civilians and officials in the region while improving emergency communication and alert systems.
The budget covers three urgent activities: construction of 1,669 shelters and safe rooms (361 million baht), establishment of 143 village announcement towers (22.9 million baht), and upgrading digital radio communication systems across seven border provinces (49.6 million baht). The core objective is to provide safe spaces for residents in case of clashes and ensure rapid, accurate, and widespread dissemination of state information and emergency alerts, which directly impact life and property safety during crises.
The project will support local government officials, territorial volunteers, and village security teams responsible for maintaining order and protecting residents and property, particularly if evacuation becomes necessary. The original proposed budget was 493.8 million baht including 1,675 shotguns (60.3 million baht) for village security teams, but the firearms procurement is still undergoing legal review. The Ministry of Interior therefore recommended implementing the three ready-to-execute priority activities first, bringing the approved amount to 433.52 million baht.
The initiative aims to prepare border areas with adequate shelters, information systems, warning mechanisms, and inter-agency communication networks to strengthen capacity in managing security threats and other border problems including illegal immigration, smuggling, drug trafficking, and transnational crime. "The government prioritizes the safety of border residents," Lalida said. "This budget targets practical, immediately implementable solutions in shelter infrastructure and communications so people receive timely alerts and assistance during emergencies."
