Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, Commander of the Second Army Area, visited Chiang Mai to give a special lecture titled “True Stories from the Border” at the Dipangkorn Rasmijoti Convention Hall, Chiang Mai Rajabhat University. The event was attended by more than 2,000 people, including students, people in general, and military cadets.
During his speech, Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang praised the bravery of soldiers who have sacrificed for Thailand and expressed condolences to those who lost their lives in Cambodian attacks.
Addressing reports about the opening of border checkpoints, he explained that such decisions fall under the government’s responsibility and must take many factors into account. The military’s role is to monitor the border area and provide frontline information along with recommendations to guide government decisions. He noted that Cambodia relies heavily on consumer goods from Thailand. Therefore, closing the checkpoint and cutting off resources such as oil and food is one strategy to gain an upper hand in conflict, potentially leading to a more stable border situation.
He emphasized that soldiers today face many challenges, including economic pressures and political factors. Given the ongoing tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, he stressed that all citizens play an essential role in supporting national defense. This support empowers military personnel to carry out their duties effectively.
