Pongsakorn, spokesperson for the Democrat Party, revealed he received complaints from personnel of Border Patrol Police Region 1 stationed on the Thailand-Cambodia border who have been owed daily allowances for five months. He urged the government, Budget Bureau, and Royal Thai Police to explain, as this affects the morale and spirit of the frontline forces.
On 13 Aug 2026 GMT+7, Mr. Pongsakorn Kwanmuang, spokesperson for the Democrat Party, disclosed that he had received complaints from Border Patrol Police Region 1 personnel along the Thailand-Cambodia border. They are facing a crisis due to unpaid daily allowances of 240 baht since March, totaling five full months. The unit explained that the government has yet to approve the budget, which has impacted the morale of those on duty. The saying “In wartime we fight, in peacetime we are forgotten” reflects this reality accurately. The delayed allowance payments directly affect the livelihoods of personnel and their families, especially since those on border duty have to pay out of pocket for daily meals. The daily allowance, totaling 7,200 baht per month, is a vital revolving fund for personal expenses, household costs, children's tuition, and living expenses. The continuous absence of this money for five months has severely burdened Border Patrol Police Region 1 personnel and their families.
What personnel and society urgently need from the government, Royal Thai Police, and Budget Bureau is an answer on whether the budget has truly not been approved, whether there is a document processing obstacle within any agency, or if it is a budget management error from the start. They need to know when payments will be made and request a clear timeline to address the hardships of personnel.
Respect for those serving and sacrificing should not wait for a crisis or public pressure to prompt image-building visits. It must begin with ensuring their basic welfare payments are timely. The daily allowance of 240 baht may seem small in the national budget, but it is the lifeline for frontline personnel and their families. The government must not let the word “sacrifice” become an excuse to neglect welfare, nor allow the narrative of “abandoning the generals after the war” to repeat. If frontline personnel still have to pay for their own meals while on duty, how can the government expect anyone to dedicate themselves to defending the country in times of crisis?