Bangkok: The Minister of Defense expressed his gratitude for the kindness of the “Hathai Thip” Fund for building the Thai-Cambodian fence. The Minister extended his appreciation to His Royal Highness Prince Srisavangavadhana for inaugurating the “Hathai Thip” fund to initiate the construction of a fence and bunkers along the Thai-Cambodian border, confirming that areas with clear identification could see immediate action.
According to Thai News Agency, General Nattapol Nakphanit, Minister of Defense, highlighted the benevolence of Her Royal Highness Princess Chulabhorn Walailak, the Princess Srisavangavadhana Worakattiyarat Naree. She graciously allocated 1 million baht from the “Hathai Thip Fund” as seed capital for the border wall and bunkers. The project will advance if the boundary is agreed upon or clarity is achieved. The Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters has been tasked as the lead agency, considering the border area is under the jurisdiction of the 1st and 2nd Army Areas of the Royal Thai Army, and the Royal Thai Navy in the south. Additionally, the Royal Thai Survey Department, a JBC subcommittee member, will support the initiative with necessary tools. General Natthapol mentioned that while immediate action is possible, the matter might require review in a National Security Council (NSC) meeting unless already locally approved.
General Natthapol assured that fence construction could commence without delay, although the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters is experiencing a command transition that necessitates personnel adjustments. He anticipates swift progress, leveraging opportunities to expedite certain steps.
Emphasizing the importance of prompt action in clearly visible areas, General Nattapol reassured the public of minimized future challenges. Nonetheless, he acknowledged the need to revisit the design, balancing security with budget constraints along the extensive 800-kilometer border.
In Sa Kaeo Province, a proposed 10-kilometer fence project, budgeted at approximately 87 million baht, remains under financial review due to the prevailing economic conditions and government budget limitations. Implementation depends on government funding availability.
The royal fund’s contribution is seen as an act of royal grace, yet the decision to build the fence must primarily rely on government financing.