More than 500 former soldiers showed their strength by signing up to volunteer for frontline combat. Meanwhile, “Big Lek” emphasized a ceasefire if Cambodia adjusts its forces, affirming that Thailand attacks only military strongholds, in contrast to Cambodia's indiscriminate firing.
At 10:00 a.m. on 19 Dec 2025 GMT+7, in the plaza in front of the Office of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense on Srisaman Road, Ban Mai Subdistrict, Pak Kret District, Nonthaburi Province, Mr. Mongkolkit Suksintharanon, former military spokesperson and member of the military commission, and advisor to the Thai Warrior Brotherhood group, along with Mr. Itsarapong Na Chiang Mai, a veteran from Pak Thong Chai camp and chairman of the Thai Warrior Brotherhood, and Mr. Anulak Chobsatad, also a Pak Thong Chai veteran and chairman of the group's strategy, led over 500 veterans holding first to fourth class military cards to assemble and demonstrate their unity. They collectively signed up to volunteer to fight alongside the Thai military against Cambodia. General Natthaphon Nakpanich, Minister of Defense, chaired the ceremony, where participants lined up to sing the Thai national anthem and the royal anthem. He then gave a speech honoring the sacrifices of veterans defending Thailand amid threats from neighboring countries.
After the ceremony, General Natthaphon said the Thai-Cambodian border issue remains, but he reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to resolving it peacefully. From the start, his stance has always been for peace. Initially, some media criticized his approach, disapproving of his methods. After the clashes began, they sought peaceful solutions step by step. In the third phase, he followed the military's lead to complete the mission. He stressed that Thailand has consistently pursued peace throughout.
He noted that Cambodia is aware of the ongoing negotiations, which involve both countries. Other nations have also expressed goodwill. He mentioned the upcoming special ASEAN foreign ministers' meeting on 22 Dec 2025 GMT+7 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where countries likely hope for a ceasefire. However, those countries must persuade Cambodia to stop firing first, as Cambodia initiated troop movements starting in June. Thailand did not move forces before that. Major powers with satellites have observed Cambodia’s initial troop deployments. Therefore, a permanent ceasefire requires Cambodia to withdraw its forces.
Regarding potential questions at the 22 December meeting about Thailand’s bombing attacks, which Cambodia claims have affected civilians and caused deaths, General Natthaphon clarified that since the clashes began, he has instructed the military to avoid targeting civilian areas. The military has assessed and confirmed that bombing strikes targeted only military positions that needed to be destroyed. Thailand uses technology to distinguish military targets from civilian ones, unlike Cambodia, which fires without verifying targets. He recalled that during the first clash, Thailand suffered civilian casualties, which he considers significant. Cambodia disregards the distinction between civilian and military targets. Thailand remains committed to peaceful methods.
Meanwhile, Mr. Charan Chankaithong, 79, a first-generation conscript from the Special Warfare Center in Lopburi in 1967 who served in the Vietnam War and was stationed on the Thai border in Phetchabun, said he feels pity for the children affected by the current events. However, he is accustomed to it. Watching TV daily, he feels the urge to join the fight. As a soldier, he was a patrolman. Currently, he wishes the fighting would be decisive and final, to teach a lasting lesson rather than endless talk, which he sees as pointless.
