October 10 deadline approaches for Cambodian settlers in Ban Nong Chan

According to the latest assessment of the situation on the ground and the gathering of intelligence from all parties, especially security forces, the following conclusions have been made:

• On October 10, certain actions will certainly take place to reclaim the land, which is Thai sovereign territory, with no further dispute.
   
• It is anticipated that legal measures will be applied to deal with the intruders. Immigration law is likely to be used, as it allows for immediate arrests, prosecution, and quick deportation, making it the most efficient and immediate solution.
   
• For violations under the Forests Act or National Reserved Forest Act, the process is more complicated. It requires land surveying, clear mapping of the forest areas, and evidence to present in court, confirming that the area is indeed being used for settlement or cultivation. This process is more cumbersome and may not keep pace with the current situation, meaning it would likely be part of a longer-term plan.
   
• There will be an expansion of Thai sovereign territory into areas currently occupied by Cambodians for agricultural purposes, although there are no densely populated settlements. This will facilitate the expansion of boundaries, with plans to add more barbed wire fences or build border barriers to prevent further encroachment.
   
• Operations may occur before October 10 to prevent Cambodian forces from inciting public unrest to obstruct the process. There is no need for Thailand to adhere to the deadline as the area is unequivocally Thai sovereign territory.

Don’t live in fear

Nantiwat Samart, former Secretary to the Minister of Foreign Affairs and former Deputy Director of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), posted the following message:

"Don’t live in fear. Don’t lie to yourself and say that our relationship with the neighbours is still normal. We’ve just been through a two-month struggle. We can’t simply turn around and kiss and make up like in a TV drama.

The situation we’re in now, both the local people and soldiers along the border, is extremely tense. There’s no fighting, no firing, but we have to sleep with our guns, thinking of our families back home. The villagers have been forced to leave their homes and become refugees.

If we’re going to stop fighting, let the villagers go back to their homes so they can return to their farming and livelihoods.

We cannot live in a state of no war but no peace, always on edge. When will our neighbours shoot BM-21 rockets at us again, or do we need to wait until a Thai person is injured or killed before we can end this?"

If we’re going to finish this, what are we waiting for?

Nantiwat further explained: “The ultimatum given by the Commander of the First Army Area to our neighbours demands that they present a plan to evacuate people from Thai territory. 

If there is no response to this demand, the military must take decisive action. Otherwise, every area will face civil disobedience from the public, as they already know that the Thai authorities are powerless.

The US has changed its war strategy. They have transformed the Department of Defence into the Department of War and shifted the military doctrine from the Law of Engagement to the Looser War of Engagement, allowing the military to undermine, threaten, intimidate, chase, and kill enemies, preparing for full-scale war with no rules.

I want to tell the government not to make any promises to our allies during the upcoming ASEAN summit at the end of this month that would tie the hands of our military, preventing them from using force. 

Don’t expect a favourable outcome from a conference in an air-conditioned room, because, in the past, our neighbours have never complied with the results of any such meetings.”

A fake peace treaty

Nantiwat also posted: “There are rumours that Trump has asked Thailand to sign a peace treaty with Cambodia at the upcoming ASEAN summit, where he will also be attending.

Is Thailand being forced into peace for whose benefit? So that Trump can win the Nobel? What does Thailand gain from this peace?

What about territorial sovereignty and Thailand’s interests? Will the lives of the Thai people who have died return? Or should we just forget about them and start over?

Should Thailand become a servant to be pointed at by others?

Let me warn you, a peace agreement that will be signed as a treaty? If so, it needs to be approved by the parliament. If it doesn’t pass, the prime minister’s tenure will be less than four months. I want the prime minister to consider the national interest. Fight to reclaim Thai sovereignty and win the hearts of the Thai people.

Thailand’s foreign policy and diplomacy are in a worse state than 'Scambodia', which commits crimes and deceives people worldwide for money through online scams. We have become a losing country.

Think carefully. Where is our bargaining power?"