Admiral declares navy readiness in response to Cambodian exercises near disputed island.
The head of the Royal Thai Navy, Admiral Jirapol Wongvit, emphasized that the Navy is fully prepared to defend Thailand’s sovereignty. He stated that any invasion of Thai territory would be immediately repelled. The statement followed reports of planned live-fire exercises by Cambodian counterparts near Ko Kood Island, located in Trat Province.
This area, adjacent to Ko Kood, has long been a subject of dispute between Thailand and Cambodia due to unclear maritime boundaries. Admiral Jirapol noted that the Cambodian Navy has not conducted such exercises for a long time, and the current activity is likely a response to internal orders to increase combat readiness.
Admiral Jirapol called on the public to remain calm and not to exaggerate the significance of the exercises, emphasizing that Thai naval exercises have been conducted regularly since the beginning of this year, including ground training in Narathiwat and live-fire exercises in the Andaman Sea. The possibility of integrating operations using unmanned aerial vehicles is also being considered.
Responding to speculation that the Cambodian exercises could provoke a new wave of tension around Ko Kuda, the admiral expressed confidence that such a scenario was unlikely. He noted that the Thai Navy is closely monitoring the situation and that Cambodian forces are mainly deployed in areas north of the disputed waters. ‘If they start moving, we are ready to move,’ the admiral said.
He refrained from commenting directly on a social media post by former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, which showed him and his wife at Sala Trimuk, a pavilion located in the disputed Emerald Triangle area. Some Thais claim that the pavilion was built by Thailand. Admiral Jirapol viewed the post as an attempt to influence public opinion and create a certain situation.
Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces General Songwit Nungpakdi confirmed the army’s readiness to support the government in peacefully resolving tensions. He stressed that the military is obliged to fulfill its constitutional duty to protect national sovereignty and ensure the safety of residents in border areas. General Songwit emphasized the importance of a unified approach to resolving Thai-Cambodian issues with the participation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the government, the Ministry of Defence, and the armed forces.
As part of measures to strengthen security in border areas, National Police Chief Kittharat Poonpetch visited the 22nd Border Police Division in Ubon Ratchathani, where he checked on the situation and handed out supplies to officers to boost morale. He emphasized that the Royal Thai Police prioritizes the protection of national sovereignty and ordered border patrol units to be on high alert in the provinces of Buriram, Si Sa Ket, Surin, and Ubon Ratchathani. These measures are aimed at maintaining stability and security in Thailand’s border areas.
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