The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has rejected claims that border bunkers in Chanthaburi and Trat are unsafe or poorly built, saying photographs circulated online showed unfinished construction and did not reflect the overall condition of the facilities.
The response came after People's Party MP for Nakhon Ratchasima Chatr Supatwanich raised concerns about the quality and value for money of bunker construction projects in the two eastern border provinces.
Capt Nara Khunthothom, assistant navy spokesman, said the images shared on social media showed only one location at a particular stage of construction and should not be taken as representative of the entire project.
He said the Chanthaburi-Trat Border Defence Command received funding to upgrade operational bases along the border following clashes in July last year. The work covers a wide range of facilities, including command buildings, troop accommodation, defensive positions, bunkers, obstacles and other infrastructure needed to support military operations, he said.
"The photographs circulated online showed unfinished construction and did not reflect the overall condition of the facilities or the whole project," he said. Capt Nara said upgrades to border bases and defensive positions vary from site to site depending on terrain, troop deployment, operational requirements and threat assessments to ensure the best possible protection.
He urged the public and media not to publish photographs or information about the facilities, saying doing so could affect military operations, troop deployments and national security.
Mr Chatr, vice-chairman of the House committee on military affairs, held a press conference on Monday after asking the committee to investigate the construction of military bunkers in Chanthaburi and Trat.
He questioned the safety and cost-effectiveness of the bunkers and raised concerns about the use of public funds. He claimed that while 50,000 baht had been approved for each bunker, they were actually built for 35,000 baht each.
Meanwhile, Maj Gen Vithai Laithomya, spokesman for the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, criticised Mr Chatr in a Facebook post.
He questioned the MP's suitability as vice-chairman of the House committee, accusing him of acting in a way that was not in the national interest.
