The Prime Minister emphasized care for those affected at the border and for sacrificing soldiers, wearing armor to inspect military operation areas, offering encouragement, delivering compensation, and instructing district chiefs to supervise fund usage to prevent lending before sharing a meal with the troops.
At 14:30 on 26 January 2026, at the Task Force Taphraya headquarters, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul chaired a meeting summarizing operations in Sa Kaeo province, with participation from Prime Minister’s Secretary-General Traisulee Traisoranakul, Permanent Secretary of the Interior Ministry Athisit Sampanrat, Army Chief of Staff General Chaiyapruk Duangprapat, and relevant agency heads.
Anutin outlined operational guidelines for government agencies, expressing gratitude to the Burapha Forces, Task Force Taphraya, and all involved sectors for closely integrated cooperation to assist people affected by the clashes. He noted this reflects strong coordination among military, administrative, security, and civilian sectors, building public confidence. He urged all related agencies to expedite thorough and fair care and compensation to families of deceased soldiers. The government will maximize budget benefits for directly affected persons, closely support injured soldiers, and provide future employment or support pathways, recognizing every soldier’s sacrifice. The government prioritizes national security and will care for all personnel to the best of its ability.
Following this, the Prime Minister donned protective armor to inspect military operations along the Sa Kaeo border, monitoring the situation, receiving frontline personnel reports, and encouraging troops maintaining peace and security.
He then traveled to the operational base at Ban Khlong Phaeng, Taphraya district, Sa Kaeo, previously a Cambodian customs building reclaimed and permanently demolished by the military. Upon arrival, he received a briefing from soldiers, inspected the surrounding area, took a group photo with stationed troops, and boosted morale with a loud cheer beneath the Thai national flag, which was originally Cambodian and bore bullet marks evidencing past combat. The Prime Minister encouraged stationed soldiers to “stay safe,” to which the soldiers responded, “Thank you.”
The Prime Minister proceeded to Ban Nong Jan, receiving a briefing from soldiers and viewing the control area of Task Force 12 from the bunker of the Kanjomphalang Suesu Foundation. He heard reports on the current situation, noting that five soldiers died in past fighting at Ban Nong Jan. The military base was named in honor of the five fallen soldiers, with a nearby intersection named “Eiamsaad,” the surname of a deceased soldier.
He then visited the “Nanthawong” base, also named after a fallen officer. The Prime Minister distributed compensation to five affected individuals from the cross-border conflict at the Thai-Cambodian border in Sa Kaeo. One case of disability received 8,013,300 baht, and four severely injured cases received 804,000 baht each. He inquired about their injuries with concern and asked whether they had received home repair funds; officials replied these were handled separately.
At that time, the Prime Minister encouraged, “Keep fighting, don’t dwell on the past; move forward.” He warned firmly against lending the money, insisting it be kept to support oneself and family, emphasizing the funds are sufficient for self and family care. Lending money would create future difficulties. This is the government’s full compensation; be strong.
Additionally, the Prime Minister asked villagers if they had debts; they replied they owed the Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). He advised them to repay debts promptly to avoid interest and summoned district chiefs to oversee fund use, forbidding lending. He said, “I never let anyone borrow money. I’m not afraid of cancer, but I fear being asked to lend.” Afterwards, he shared snacks such as popcorn, ice cream, brownies, and fresh sugarcane juice with the stationed soldiers and engaged in friendly conversation.
