Dr. Ae Suchatvee, leader of the Thai Khao Mai Party, urges the government to be honest about its approach to the Cambodia conflict, pointing out that the ongoing ambiguity is affecting displaced residents, leading to a drop in last quarter GDP, and increasing the risk of pressure from Trump's tariffs.
On 16 December 2025, Mr. Suchatvee Suwansawat, known as Dr. Ae, leader of the Thai Khao Mai Party, spoke about the ongoing violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border, now lasting more than a week, which has forced hundreds of thousands of Thai people to evacuate to various shelters. He emphasized the need for effective management to ensure the safety of evacuees, especially children who have lost schooling due to school closures in conflict areas. He also highlighted the financial burdens evacuees face—such as debts, water and electricity bills, installment payments, and loans—while being unable to work, yet interest continues to accrue, and daily living expenses remain high.
Additionally, there are thousands of Thais stranded in Cambodia who urgently need assistance due to safety risks. However, so far, no clear government measures have been announced to address this situation.
Mr. Suchatvee also stated that the Prime Minister must be truthful with the Thai people about the government's policy—whether it will seek to quickly end the conflict or continue fighting—so all parties can understand their future, including evacuees who wish to return to normal life and work, business operators planning their activities, and exporters concerned about potential tariff hikes by Trump.
He warned that if the situation remains unclear, the last quarter GDP of this year and early next year may fall below forecasts because the government fails to instill public confidence. Particularly regarding Trump's tariffs, despite the Commerce Minister previously stating that the U.S. would not pressure Thailand and Cambodia to stop fighting, President Donald Trump later told the media he would pressure both countries by increasing tariffs, which would immediately put Thailand at a disadvantage compared to Vietnam in exports to the U.S.
On Wednesday, 17 December 2025, he plans to visit victims and field hospitals in Sa Kaeo Province. Besides offering encouragement, he intends to personally learn about the problems and impacts experienced by local residents.