“I DON’T WANT WAR”
When CNA visited the border area this week, checkpoints remained in place and military vehicles were common travelling on the roads around the area close to Chong Bok, where the deadly skirmish occurred on May 28.
Locals in the Thai district of Nam Yuen in Ubon Ratchathani province told CNA that they are scared about the ongoing tensions.
“I’m still afraid of bullets and bombs falling in this area,” said Yupin Pansena, a 54-year-old farmer.
“I don’t want war. I want the government to negotiate and find a peaceful resolution. I want peace.”
Boonsin Phadklang, Commander of the Second Army Region covering Thailand’s northeastern provinces, told CNA that the border situation has “improved”, but upcoming talks scheduled by the Thailand–Cambodia Joint Boundary Committee on Jun 14 would be a crucial step to ensuring lasting security.
“We are concerned that no resolution may be reached at the upcoming (JBC) meeting next Saturday. However, we remain hopeful that the situation will improve,” he said.
“We will continue negotiations until a resolution is achieved. Resorting to force will be a last resort. We do not want any bloodshed on either side – neither Thais nor Cambodians.”
Paetongtarn confirmed on Tuesday that the Joint Border Committee (JBC) meeting scheduled for Saturday will proceed as planned, Bangkok Post reported.
