Bangkok: "Big Dul" (a nickname for a high-ranking military officer) was tearful! He apologized for not communicating the full story regarding the shooting deaths of 5 paramilitary soldiers, insisting that "his subordinates did not die in vain." He explained that it was necessary to avoid the word 'hunt' to avoid fueling the fire.

According to Thai News Agency, today at the Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant General Adul Boonthamcharoen, Minister of Defence, clarified the controversy surrounding his refusal to use the word "pursuit" in an interview regarding the ambush that killed five paramilitary soldiers in Narathiwat province. This led to criticism of his perceived lack of concern for his subordinates.

Lieutenant General Adul stated that he was deeply saddened and heartbroken by the incident, affirming that his military spirit has always been strong and unchanging, and that no commander would not care about their subordinates. He emphasized that he had instructed the commander of the 4th Army Region that "his subordinates must not die in vain" and that the perpetrators must be brought to justice. However, he added that, in his role as Minister of Defense, using strong language could escalate the situation and unnecessarily add fuel to the fire. He apologized if his previous communication was incomplete, leading to misunderstandings.

Furthermore, the Minister of Defense confirmed that there was no conflict with the Chief of Staff of the Army, contrary to media reports. He stated that they had coordinated constantly prior to the field visit and emphasized that he is not someone who uses political rhetoric or clings to his position. He is open to criticism with understanding, but found it most painful to be accused of not caring for his subordinates.

However, during the interview, despite his stern and firm demeanor, Lt. Gen. Adul noticed that his eyes welled up with tears when speaking about the situation.