The border is in surveillance mode. Major General Sompop Paravej, Commander of the Suranaree Task Force, operates behind the frontline military pressures and is a key force controlling the real-time rhythm of the 2nd Army Region.
In every movement along the Thai-Cambodian border, the strategic framework is clearly led by the 2nd Army Region Commander, with multiple command levels working together within the field command system.
One commander present at every crucial decision point, acting as area controller on July 24–28, 2025, and December 7, 2025, consistently appears in joint command operations.
When orders must be "grounded" and responsibility for soldiers’ lives is real, that person is Major General Sompop Paravej, Commander of the Suranaree Task Force.
Why is the Suranaree Task Force the frontline security barrier of southern Isan? The Suranaree Task Force is a specialized combat unit under the 2nd Army Region responsible for the lower northeastern border, serving as the country's frontline security in southern Isan.
The unit’s mission covers sovereignty defense, border checkpoint control, cross-border threat surveillance, drug suppression, and protecting border community safety. In a field where "controlling the area matters more than controlling emotions," the commander’s role is not only to issue orders but to maintain balance across the entire border security system.
A lesson from 2011: Experience as a cornerstone of decision-making. The 2011 Thai-Cambodian border incident remains a key lesson frequently cited among frontline soldiers. Under high pressure, Major General Sompop served as a commander absorbing situational stress on behalf of the command system and managed tensions to prevent conflict escalation.
A memorable phrase from the field was, “We’ve met before... in 2011, and we don’t want to see it happen again.” This was not confrontational rhetoric but a reminder of the consequences all sides must consider in conflict situations, becoming a guiding principle to prevent history from repeating itself.
Recognition from the front lines: When the system credits those who work on the ground. In September 2025, Major General Sompop Paravej received the NDC Awards from the National Defense College in the category of contributors to defending Thailand’s territory.
This award reflects acknowledgment of a commander continuously serving in frontline areas with real risks. The question is not "Who is famous?" but "Who controls the real battlefield?" On days when the border is in surveillance mode, good orders may start in the command room,
but area safety begins with those standing on the ground. In this field, the name Major General Sompop Paravej is still called upon—not because of loud voices but because of a trusted system.