Trat — The Commander of the Royal Thai Navy declared 100% readiness to defend national sovereignty and ensure public safety, after visiting the field to observe an evacuation drill for moving civilians out of a maritime crisis zone in Trat Province. He revealed that the Navy is closely monitoring troop movements on the opposing side, and confirmed that no border crossing points have been opened.
Today (22 May), Admiral Phairot Fueangchan, Commander of the Royal Thai Navy, travelled to Trat Province to observe the 2026 annual field exercise on evacuating civilians from maritime crisis zones, held at the S. Krittawan pier, Hat Lek Sub-district, Khlong Yai District. The exercise was an integrated effort between Khlong Yai District, led by District Chief Ms. Kanlaya Prasitphak, and the Naval Civil Affairs Department of the Royal Thai Navy, along with security agencies, local administrative organisations, public health authorities, and the civilian sector.
The drill simulated a scenario in which enemy artillery fire struck the Sukhumvit Road, cutting it off and rendering it impassable, leaving residents of Khlong Yai District — situated in a high-risk area — unable to evacuate by road and forcing them to flee by sea only. The exercise covered the full evacuation process, beginning after troops and vehicles had been deployed by both land and sea to their designated positions. Public health officials and local administrative organisation personnel carried out screening of evacuees, conducted physical health checks, and simulated the evacuation of bedridden patients in accordance with medical protocols.
The drill also included a water-based evacuation exercise, in which Hat Lek Sub-district Municipality provided two vessels, working alongside Royal Thai Navy marine vehicles, to systematically and safely transport evacuees from the maritime crisis zone to Laem Ngop District, located 80 kilometres from the crisis area.
Admiral Phairot Fueangchan, Commander of the Royal Thai Navy (CINC Navy), said the civilian evacuation drill from the crisis zone was intended to build confidence among residents in the eastern border areas. He affirmed that the Royal Thai Navy is 100% ready to maintain security and safeguard the lives and property of the public.
He noted that the civilian evacuation exercise from crisis zones is already part of the Navy's annual training plan, and that the hypothetical scenarios are adjusted each year as appropriate.
As for the selection of Khlong Yai District, Trat Province, as this year's training area, he explained that it involved integrating the Navy-level plan with the evacuation plans of the district and Trat Province, in order to achieve seamless coordination. This enables all parties to understand what each sector — civilian, police, military, and local residents — must do when a crisis occurs, whether a natural disaster or a state of war. It will also allow security agencies to provide support and operate more easily and effectively.
Regarding reports of troop movements by the opposing side along the border areas of Trat and Chanthaburi provinces, the CINC Navy stated that the Royal Thai Navy has received the information and is monitoring the situation closely. He confirmed that the Navy is ready in two key areas: maintaining its patrol lines, where forces remain deployed and strictly holding their patrol positions in the area; and continuously training personnel in readiness for any situation, covering both weapons use and preparation to assist in civilian evacuations.
"On the matter of opening border crossing points, I wish to state clearly that there is absolutely no such opening. Images that may occasionally be seen of a small gate being opened at a border crossing point may simply be a humanitarian operation or the deportation of individuals who have violated the law back to their country."
The CINC Navy also provided an update on the border fence construction project in Pong Nam Ron District, Chanthaburi Province, noting that although it falls within the area of responsibility of the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defence Force, the primary agency responsible for the construction is the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, and the Royal Thai Navy's role is limited to supporting coordination with local residents and providing security for the personnel carrying out the fence construction work.
He also expressed praise for residents of Chanthaburi and Trat provinces for their consistent cooperation with government agencies, and conveyed his concern for Royal Thai Navy personnel of all ranks. He emphasised that commanding officers have never been neglectful, and that he himself is ready to go into the field to speak with personnel and boost morale personally at every opportunity.
Meanwhile, Mrs. Phennapha Ketkanlaiya, a resident of Hat Lek, Khlong Yai District, said she currently remains worried that war could break out at any time, as Cambodia continues to encroach into Thai territory on an ongoing basis. She said she has already packed clothes and essential items into a travel bag, ready to evacuate immediately should an emergency occur. She added that this drill is a positive development, as it will keep everyone alert and aware of the evacuation procedures should a real situation arise.
