Military to take lead at border

Troops told to weigh risk, act if need be

- MONGKOL BANGPRAPA

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said the military has been tasked with making on-the-ground decisions, focusing on careful situational assessments amid rising tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border.

Ms Paetongtarn said that while peaceful means should remain the guiding principle, Thailand must be prepared to engage if confrontation becomes unavoidable.

The prime minister made the remarks following a nearly two-hour meeting of the National Security Council (NSC) yesterday, convened to discuss escalating border tensions with Cambodia. She stated that the armed forces have reaffirmed their full readiness to respond to any eventuality.

"The military understands precisely what is happening on the ground," she said. "It is the military's responsibility to evaluate whether the situation has reached a point where confrontation is necessary. If not, then engaging prematurely could result in great harm," she said.