05.06.2025 (12:01 PM)

Thailand is prepared for any fighting on the Thai-Cambodian border, but wants to resolve the border dispute peacefully, Prime Minister Phatthana Shinawatra said on June 4.

“Thailand values ​​peace. But we will never be cowards when fighting breaks out,” Phatthana said after a cabinet meeting.

Phatthana also quoted a line from the Thai national anthem.

“We are prepared to ensure the safety of all Thais. If fighting breaks out, we are ready to face it. We are fully prepared. But we want to choose a peaceful way. We choose peace because we don’t want to start a war. In other words, we don’t want to cause casualties on both sides,” Phatthana said.

On June 3, Thai Deputy Prime Minister and Defense Minister Phuntshom Wichayachai said that war should be used only when the border tension cannot be resolved.

While Cambodia is trying to take the border dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), Thailand is trying to negotiate through the Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Committee (JBC).

“The use of force or war should only be considered when it is absolutely impossible. It is important to consider war only when all other means have failed to resolve the conflict,” Phuntshom said.

“The military has also made appropriate preparations. There is no weakness,” he said.