"Big Lek" visited the Trat border area at Ban Sam Lang, ordering personnel to maintain their deployment for another year. He urged the rapid construction of a fence and installation of CCTV, and joined over 500 local residents who came to support the soldiers in singing the Thai national anthem. He also promised there would be no opening of the checkpoint.
On 16 Jan 2026 at 16:30 GMT+7, Gen. Natthaphon Nakpanich, Minister of Defence, visited the Trat border to encourage troops stationed at Ban Tha Sen–Thamoda. He was welcomed by Commander Thananuwan Wanna of the Trat Marine Unit, Governor Piriyah Chantadilok of Trat, and other provincial officials.
At about 17:30 GMT+7, he proceeded to the Ban Sam Lang site to receive a briefing from Commander Thananuwan Wanna. He then issued operational policies, instructing border troops to remain deployed for another year, accelerate the construction of an electronic fence equipped with CCTV, and possibly develop the area into a tourist attraction once the border situation stabilizes.
At 18:00 GMT+7, he joined nearly 500 Trat residents in singing the national anthem. Afterwards, he met with local villagers and assured them there would be no opening of the border checkpoint.
Local residents showed strong support for the troops, willingly walking nearly one kilometer on foot to participate in singing the national anthem and encouraging the soldiers.
