Thailand Insists Border Survey Requires Security First, Urges Cambodia Compliance
Thailand says border survey with Cambodia requires security measures first, including mine clearance and ceasefire maintenance, before technical teams can safely conduct boundary work.
Air Vice Marshal Praphas Saonjaideej, deputy commander of the Royal Thai Air Force and director of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Information Center, reaffirmed on September 4 that Thailand is not using security as a pretext to delay the Joint Boundary Commission's operations. He said Thailand is ready to negotiate and move the commission's work forward, but staff must be able to access the survey area safely so that technical tasks yield real results.
Thailand's "Security First" approach rests on four pillars: maintaining ceasefires, reducing military risk, clearing landmines, and jointly addressing cross-border crime. Praphas explained that these are the foundation for building trust and pursuing peaceful solutions. He stressed that demining must come before any border survey because personnel safety is paramount; staff should not be sent into areas still posing risk. Instead, the area must be secured first, then technical teams can proceed based on factual evidence.
On international law, Thailand is prepared to use both bilateral and international legal mechanisms with sincerity, provided laws and agreements are respected consistently and applied equally to all parties, including Thailand itself. Praphas appealed to Cambodia's decision-makers to discuss, cooperate, and seek a peaceful solution grounded in facts, law, and verifiable processes. "Before we draw lines on a map, we must ensure those surveying that line can work safely. Thailand is ready to negotiate, but negotiation must yield practical results," he said.
