Bangkok: Prime Minister Sihasak Srisuk and Deputy Prime Minister Adul Kritsadorn recently convened to discuss pressing security matters following the latest Cabinet meeting. They announced the postponement of their planned visit to the southern border provinces due to urgent tasks requiring their attention. The leaders expressed their commitment to fostering peace in the region and highlighted the importance of integrated efforts to achieve this goal. The appointment of General Somsak Srisuk as chairman of the Joint Border Committee (JBC) was made to ensure alignment with the armed forces and to maintain a consistent direction in their operations.
According to Thai News Agency, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Srisak Phuangketkaew, along with Minister of Defence Lieutenant General Adul Boonthamcharoen, confirmed that the visit to the southern border provinces was postponed due to pressing commitments. The visit was initially planned to assess the operations of the Southern Border Provinces Administrative Center (SBPC) and to ensure proper coordination with various agencies. Srisak highlighted the necessity for close collaboration with the Ministry of Defence, reiterating the policy's focus on establishing peace in the region through integrated cooperation.
Prime Minister Sihasak also reported that Thailand has informed Cambodia about the cancellation of the 2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), and discussions will be conducted under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) of 1982 to chart the way forward. He mentioned that the Cabinet will soon be requested to appoint a Joint Thai-Cambodian Border Commission (JBC), following the appointment of General Somsak Roongsita, former Secretary-General of the National Security Council, as its chairman.
Sihasak elaborated on the choice of General Somsak, pointing to his experience in border demarcation activities under the JBC (Joint Border Committee) and the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC). He stressed the importance of close coordination with military forces and the need for collaborative efforts. The selection of the JBC chairman was based on the requirements of the role rather than purely technical considerations.