Bangkok: Today, Mr. Nattapong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the People’s Party, held a press conference addressing the ongoing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which has now entered its third day. He voiced concerns for the safety of people in six affected provinces, which have seen over 100,000 evacuations. The conflict has also led to the closure of multiple schools and hospitals. Mr. Nattapong offered condolences to the families of the three soldiers who have died and expressed support for the soldiers who have been injured in the clashes.

According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Nattapong emphasized that the conflict could have been avoided if the root issue-the scammer network sustaining the Hun Sen regime-had been decisively addressed. He highlighted that the current suffering mirrors the previous conflict in July, which resulted in the deaths of 17 civilians and 18 soldiers. He argued that the solution lies in ending the problem permanently, restoring peace, and allowing trade to resume along the Thai-Cambodian border.

In agreement with Major General Nat Sri-in, the Deputy Commander of the 2nd Army Region, Mr. Nattapong stressed that no battle can end without negotiation. He outlined several objectives for resolving the conflict, including the use of military force in accordance with international law, diplomatic efforts to pressure Cambodia into negotiations, and leveraging international support to combat the scammer network.

Mr. Nattapong further noted that the recent clashes arose following the seizure of assets belonging to close advisors of Hun Sen. He warned that the conflict might be a diversion tactic by Hun Sen, intended to shift international focus from Cambodia’s scammer issues to allegations against Thailand as an aggressor.

He urged the Thai government to avoid falling into the trap of using military action alone, advocating instead for a comprehensive strategy involving military, diplomatic, and anti-scammer efforts. He stressed that the military should be a last resort and should operate within international standards to prevent accusations of aggression.

The People’s Party leader also criticized the Prime Minister’s stance on negotiations, arguing that refusing talks puts Thailand at a disadvantage and benefits the Hun Sen regime. He called for adjustments to the ASEAN Observer Team’s operations to ensure compliance with international peace agreements.

Finally, Mr. Nattapong urged the government to prioritize the fight against scammers, proposing a plan to collaborate internationally and hold an upcoming conference on the issue. He stressed the importance of targeting both domestic and foreign networks to effectively weaken the Hun Sen regime.

Mr. Nattapong concluded by emphasizing that a combination of diplomacy and military action is critical to pressuring Cambodia back into negotiations, with combating scammers at the forefront of the strategy. He advocated for turning the crisis into an opportunity to eradicate the networks profiting from people’s suffering.