- Published: 14/01/2011 at 12:00 AM
- Newspaper section: News
- Bangkok Post
Walit: ‘We are ready to do our duty’
Maj Gen Walit Rojanapakdi, commander of the Burapha Task Force, is in charge of security along the Thai-Cambodian border.
He tells Bangkok Post reporter WASSANA NANUAM that Thais should attempt to put aside their differences, as internal disunity will only please the country’s enemies.
How will the Burapha Task Force cope with the Thai Patriots Network if it rallies and seals the Thai-Cambodian border in Sa Kaeo to protest against Cambodia’s arrest of seven Thais for trespass?
Please do not close the border. That would not put any pressure on Cambodia. Do you think [prime minister] Hun Sen will release the seven Thais in response? No, he won’t. Over 2,000 local people are praying for peace. If problems grow, they will be in trouble. They will not be able to do business.
The Thai Patriots Network wants to block Thai gamblers from visiting Cambodian casinos which it believes are the main sources of Hun Sen’s income.
We should campaign to raise the awareness of Thais who gamble there. But closing the border will cause problems for local people and bilateral problems will grow. I am afraid that local people may clash with visiting protesters. Soldiers will try their best to prevent that. If Thais end up fighting each other, Cambodians will laugh at us.
How will the soldiers handle mobs?
We will deploy forces to block people from reaching the border. If they cross it, problems will increase.
I have learned a painful lesson. I was injured in the army crackdown at the Khok Wua intersection during the red shirt protests last April. My leg was broken in three places by a grenade blast.
I had to recuperate in hospital for months and use a cane. Today I can walk but still cannot run. Many subordinates of mine are still lying in hospital with more serious injuries.
I don’t want to see Thais fight against each other over the border issue with Cambodia as well. I know everyone loves the nation but we still have choices.
Are Thai soldiers discouraged by their Cambodian counterparts?
Soldiers are not discouraged. We are afraid of no one. We are ready to do our duty. But the decision rests with policy-makers.
Do you think local people may clash with members of the Thai Patriots Network?
We soldiers will do our best to prevent that. Thais should neither clash nor bleed because of Cambodia. Internal conflicts please only neighbouring countries that are our competitors.
Can the Burapha Task Force handle the situation along the border?
If the mobs stay away, soldiers can take care of the area. We have not reinforced troop numbers.
Thai and Cambodian soldiers are still on good terms. The fate of the seven Thais accused of trespass rests with the justice system and the Foreign Ministry.
He tells Bangkok Post reporter WASSANA NANUAM that Thais should attempt to put aside their differences, as internal disunity will only please the country’s enemies.
How will the Burapha Task Force cope with the Thai Patriots Network if it rallies and seals the Thai-Cambodian border in Sa Kaeo to protest against Cambodia’s arrest of seven Thais for trespass?
Please do not close the border. That would not put any pressure on Cambodia. Do you think [prime minister] Hun Sen will release the seven Thais in response? No, he won’t. Over 2,000 local people are praying for peace. If problems grow, they will be in trouble. They will not be able to do business.
The Thai Patriots Network wants to block Thai gamblers from visiting Cambodian casinos which it believes are the main sources of Hun Sen’s income.
We should campaign to raise the awareness of Thais who gamble there. But closing the border will cause problems for local people and bilateral problems will grow. I am afraid that local people may clash with visiting protesters. Soldiers will try their best to prevent that. If Thais end up fighting each other, Cambodians will laugh at us.
How will the soldiers handle mobs?
We will deploy forces to block people from reaching the border. If they cross it, problems will increase.
I have learned a painful lesson. I was injured in the army crackdown at the Khok Wua intersection during the red shirt protests last April. My leg was broken in three places by a grenade blast.
I had to recuperate in hospital for months and use a cane. Today I can walk but still cannot run. Many subordinates of mine are still lying in hospital with more serious injuries.
I don’t want to see Thais fight against each other over the border issue with Cambodia as well. I know everyone loves the nation but we still have choices.
Are Thai soldiers discouraged by their Cambodian counterparts?
Soldiers are not discouraged. We are afraid of no one. We are ready to do our duty. But the decision rests with policy-makers.
Do you think local people may clash with members of the Thai Patriots Network?
We soldiers will do our best to prevent that. Thais should neither clash nor bleed because of Cambodia. Internal conflicts please only neighbouring countries that are our competitors.
Can the Burapha Task Force handle the situation along the border?
If the mobs stay away, soldiers can take care of the area. We have not reinforced troop numbers.
Thai and Cambodian soldiers are still on good terms. The fate of the seven Thais accused of trespass rests with the justice system and the Foreign Ministry.
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