Thai Deputy PM: 'Nothing to Celebrate' on 1-Year Anniversary of Border Incident

On the one-year anniversary of a conflict in the border area between Thailand and Cambodia, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, Anutin Charnvirakul, stated that there is 'nothing to be pleased about or celebrate' regarding the incident. He emphasized that Thailand continues to defend its sovereignty and confirmed with the Chinese Minister of National Defense, who is visiting Thailand, that the military equipment China is supplying to Cambodia is purely for commercial purposes and not intended for conflict with Thailand. Anutin further noted that the Chinese Defense Minister's statement aligned with assurances he received from President Xi Jinping during his visit to Beijing. The Deputy Prime Minister reiterated that the public has no reason to worry about being in danger or at risk due to conflicts with neighboring countries, encouraging everyone to plan their daily lives and businesses as if Thailand were not in a precarious situation. He affirmed that the current situation is normal and poses no harm or disadvantage to Thailand. Regarding the resolution of disputes and the restoration of relations, Anutin stated that this depends on future negotiations and agreements, and currently, Thailand is not experiencing any detrimental effects. In response to a complaint from a gasoline station owner in Sisaket Province, who suffered damage from a BM-21 rocket and claims to have not yet received compensation, Anutin pledged that the government would expedite the process in full accordance with the law. He indicated that legal action might be necessary, particularly concerning insurance companies that may interpret policy exclusions, such as 'riots' or 'acts of God.' He mentioned that regulatory bodies like the Office of the Insurance Commission (OIC) would be involved in the process, stressing the government's responsibility to address the damages. INN News