Border Drones Halted: Thailand and Cambodia Deploy Barriers to Limit Aerial Intrusions (According to Boonsin)
Thailand Bolsters Border Defense with Drone-Blocking Nets
In response to ongoing border tensions with Cambodia, Thailand has deployed drone-blocking nets along its border to safeguard against attack drones. This move comes as both Thai and Cambodian forces have set up nets at their bases as a physical barrier to intercept hostile drones.
Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, Commander of the 2nd Army Area, confirmed that the military has enough concertina wire and protective equipment but has found the nets to be a valuable supplement to their official defenses due to slow procurement processes. The Thai military has also received donations of nets from the public to bolster their drone defense capabilities.
The deployment of drone nets is part of a broader drone management strategy. Thailand’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAT) has issued a nationwide drone ban (except for authorized security agencies) until August 15, 2025, aiming to curb unregulated drone activity amid heightened tensions. The ban includes criminal penalties and authorization for the military to shoot down unauthorized drones.
Lt Gen Boonsin also emphasized that there is no conflict with the government, and the 2nd Army's role is to defend the border. He clarified that Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of the Interior, Phumtham Wechayachai, had not made any calls regarding the donations.
The Thai military has taken proactive measures to prevent the use of attack drones along the border, securing 11 key areas in recent combat operations. Some areas along the border still require patrols to prevent Cambodian forces from regaining territory. Lt Gen Boonsin urged the public to rely on official government sources for information on evacuation procedures and alerts.
Cambodia has also set up nets at their bases to block drones. Both sides have taken measures due to uncertainty about the direction from which drones might approach. Lt Gen Boonsin did not provide details on the specific type or number of drones that have been blocked or encountered. He also confirmed that the 2nd Army is no longer actively requesting donations, but they are still accepting items that citizens choose to bring.
The army will continue performing its duties, despite the closure of the Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodian Border Situation. Thailand's use of drone-blocking nets represents a practical, ground-level response integrated with legal and aerial enforcement measures to protect its borders from increasingly sophisticated drone incursions.
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