Paetongtarn holds urgent talks on Thai-Cambodian border tensions

Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra called a meeting with security and economic agencies on Monday to discuss the ongoing border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia.

The prime minister arrived for work at the Thai Khu Fah Building inside Government House at 9.12am, according to reports.

Ahead of her arrival, Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, Deputy Defence Minister Gen Nattapol Nakpanit, and Chief of Defence Forces Gen Songwit Noonpackdee were already present.

The meeting was reportedly convened to coordinate between national security and economic agencies following a series of border checkpoint closures and reopenings, which have disrupted Thai exports to Cambodia. 

The government is now weighing possible responses and seeking to mitigate any economic fallout.

A national security source said any escalation in countermeasures would need careful coordination with economic agencies to assess feasibility and potential impact. The source stressed that national security remains the top priority but noted the importance of minimising economic damage.

At the same time, the source revealed that security agencies are also grappling with the growing conflict between Israel and Iran. The Royal Thai Armed Forces have been instructed to prepare for the potential evacuation of Thai nationals should the situation escalate.

The military has placed its aircraft on standby and can mobilise within one hour if an evacuation order is issued, the source said.

(2025/06/23-00:00)