According to a report by Thai media outlet *The Nation* on November 4th, Thai Defense Minister Nattapong Nakpanee issued a statement at a press conference that day, emphasizing that Thailand will not engage in further negotiations with Cambodia on any border issues until the core of the Thai-Cambodian border dispute—the Ta Krabei Temple—is resolved.
Regarding the recent issue of the release of 18 Cambodian soldiers, Nattapong further pointed out that, apart from this issue, Thailand will not consult with Cambodia on other matters such as reopening border crossings until the Ta Krabei Temple dispute is completely resolved.
Analysts believe that the Thai government may currently be facing domestic public opinion and political pressure, and in order to consolidate domestic support, it has adopted a tougher stance on the border issue. Thailand's insistence on gaining control of the temple has been regarded as an unreasonable demand by Cambodia. The sovereignty dispute over this ancient temple has become the core focus of the recent tensions on the Cambodian-Thai border.
