Military Bunkers on Thailand-Cambodia Border Accused of Shoddy Construction
Military officials in Chanthaburi and Trat provinces face scrutiny over shoddily constructed border bunkers made from thin prefabricated concrete and wooden poles that critics say cannot withstand heavy rain or combat. A parliamentary commi
Deputy Chair of the House Military Affairs Committee Chatchai Supattavanich presented complaints about defective bunker construction in Chanthaburi and Trat provinces on August 3, 2569 (2026) in Parliament. According to photos provided by complainants, the bunkers are built only from thin prefabricated concrete sheets laid as walls, with natural wooden poles as support beams and wood combined with plastic to hold soil on the roof.
Chatchai outlined three concerns: first, safety risks because the structure could easily collapse, especially during rainy season when soil weight increases, and cannot provide proper protection from bullets or shrapnel; second, poor quality and lack of value for money compared to military engineering standards; and third, suspected budget misuse, as the complaints indicate 90 bunkers were budgeted at 50,000 baht each, yet actual construction costs appear to be only a few tens of thousands of baht.
Chatchai remarked that the bunkers are so thin and unstable that soldiers jokingly say a sneeze could cause collapse without waiting for combat. He stated he will submit evidence and documentation to the chair of the Military Affairs Committee to investigate the facts, protect soldier safety, and ensure taxpayer money is properly spent. He emphasized concerns about whether these bunkers can withstand heavy rain, explosions, or actual conflict given their obviously inadequate construction.
