Defence Minister Nattapon insists Thai-Cambodian conflict will not escalate despite border tensions

Tensions remain high along the Thai-Cambodian border following a series of military confrontations, but Thailand’s Defence Minister, General Nattapon Nakpanich, has assured that the situation is under control and will not be prolonged.

Speaking on 16 December 2025, General Nattapon emphasised that military operations were proceeding “step by step” according to plan, and he expressed no immediate concern over developments.

He addressed reports of a significant cache of Chinese-made weapons seized from Cambodian troops in the Chong An Ma area of Nam Yuen district, Ubon Ratchathani. The weapons were found near Hill 500, which was recently reclaimed by Thai forces.

According to a post by the Army Military Force on 15 December, Thai soldiers from the 2nd Battalion of the 17th Infantry Regiment confiscated a substantial number of weapons after securing the area. The cache included 82mm projected grenades (Type 65), Type 65-1 recoilless grenade launchers, and Norinco PF-89 (Type 89) anti-tank rocket launchers.

The PF-89, a single-use portable rocket system manufactured by China’s Norinco, is designed for infantry use against tanks and bunkers. The system, weighing approximately 3.7kg, includes various variants such as the PF-89B for defeating reactive armour and WPF-89 series with thermobaric warheads for use in enclosed environments.

The post also revealed that a Chinese-made GAM-102LR guided anti-tank missile system, considered a fifth-generation weapon, was seized a day earlier by the same Thai unit.

In response to speculation about the weapons' origins and potential foreign backers, General Nattapon said investigations were ongoing. "Intelligence work has yet to confirm anything,” he said, adding that no official request had been received from Chinese authorities regarding the return of the seized weapons.

“Under our rules, weapons we seize are under the custody of the Thai armed forces,” he stated. “Once seized, they are effectively ours – we can choose to use them or destroy them. For now, they remain under examination.”

The Defence Minister also responded to international concerns about Thailand’s measures to restrict fuel and military supplies reaching Cambodia. He defended the approach as a peaceful means of reducing Cambodia’s operational capacity, not a provocation.

“We are not using force or weapons to destroy one another,” he said. “These measures are to restrict Cambodia’s operational capacity to act against Thailand.”

Nattapon reiterated that Thailand would only agree to a ceasefire once Cambodia clearly demonstrated a cessation of hostilities.

“Any peaceful approach that can be used to ensure Cambodia ends its hostility is likely to be the best path,” he said.

Reports have emerged of fuel tankers halted near the Chong Mek border crossing in Sirindhorn district, Ubon Ratchathani, raising concerns of humanitarian or logistical impact. Nattapon said he was aware of the situation and that the matter was being handled by civil agencies.

“The 2nd Army Area is currently controlling fuel exports,” he explained. “We know fuel has been going through Chong Mek and on to Cambodia.”

When asked for a timeline on how long the situation might persist, the Minister gave only a brief reply: “Give us just a little more time.”

The border tensions have prompted regional concern, particularly due to the presence of advanced weaponry and the risk of escalation. However, Nattapon’s comments suggest that Thailand remains focused on containment and strategic pressure rather than offensive action.

So far, no casualties or major skirmishes have been reported, and the Thai government has not announced any plans for formal diplomatic talks with Cambodia at this stage.