Cambodia must comply with every measure agreed upon since the ceasefire agreement was concluded. Any attempt to delay will further erode trust and raise tension.
Phnom Penh must stop its cheap tricks, portraying itself as the victim of Thai counteractions. Truth be told, Cambodia laid the land mines. It must clear them immediately.
Thailand has shown patience and restraint all along. Cambodia has not reciprocated. Instead of cooperating with de-escalation, Phnom Penh continues to provoke incidents along the border.
Using civilians and disguised officials as human shields is irresponsible and violates international law. The international community is no longer buying this narrative of victimhood.
Last week, the Thai military leadership spoke with one voice.
At the Supreme Command headquarters, the commanders of the army, navy, and air force met under the chairmanship of Supreme Commander Gen Songwit Noonpakdee.
He was succinct and clear, stating that the Thai military—army, navy, and air force—is united and speaks with one voice. They agreed unanimously that all border checkpoints with Cambodia will remain closed until tensions ease.
In short, Cambodia must stop posing a threat to Thailand.
It is notable that the country’s top brass now considers its eastern neighbor a direct security threat. Thailand will defend itself as it has always done. The commanders agreed to reinforce undisputed border areas with barricades.
In disputed zones, troops will patrol regularly, and a strategic road will be built along the border to improve mobility and access. Gen. Songwit effectively reiterated that the Thai armed forces are well prepared to protect the nation’s sovereignty without provocation.
Songwit reiterated that Thailand will not fire the first shot and will follow international rules of engagement in responding to any hostile actions across the border.
At the meeting, Admiral Jirapol Wongwit, the navy commander-in-chief, also raised concerns over land encroachment on Thai territory by several Cambodian casinos.
He said Cambodia has not responded to Thailand’s repeated protests. He pointed out that Thailand is willing to hold dialogue to resolve mutual problems, even when Cambodia has ignored repeated warnings.
Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura reiterated that Cambodia provoked the incidents at Ban Nong Ya Kaew in Sa Kaeo province on September 16 and 17.
He said using civilians as shields constitutes a serious violation of international law. He added that Thailand is disappointed that Cambodia resorted to conflict rather than peaceful dialogue to resolve disputes. He pointed out that the Thai government must defend itself against manufactured incidents.
Truth be told, Cambodia’s narrative of victimhood is wearing thin. Every time tensions flare, Phnom Penh rushes to paint Thailand as the aggressor. Yet the facts on the ground tell a different story.
Cambodia must stop using civilians as pawns. If Cambodia truly wants peace, it must live up to its responsibilities under ASEAN and international law.
The ASEAN chair now faces a test of credibility. He must remain firm and impartial and must not bend to theatrics. His role is to ensure that both parties comply with the agreements.
The international community can see who the violator is. The ASEAN chair must balance firmness with diplomacy and prevailing realities. The question is: Will he be remembered as a chair who guided ASEAN through one of its most difficult challenges?
The Thai military consensus showed that the country will not be drawn into Cambodia’s diplomatic entrapments. Thailand will secure its borders, build its barricades, and patrol its disputed areas.
Thailand will also continue to follow international rules of engagement. Cambodia, meanwhile, must dismantle its land mines, rein in its provocations, and stop its attempts to manipulate opinion.
Indeed, the international community must also see Cambodia’s tactics for what they are. Last week’s incidents at Nong Ya Kaew were not the actions of a victim.
They were the actions of provocateurs. Thailand has shown restraint while Cambodia has not.
More broadly, ASEAN’s credibility is also at stake. If one member state can repeatedly provoke another while claiming victimhood, then ASEAN’s principles of peace and cooperation ring hollow.
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim must prove otherwise. He must insist that no one violates the ceasefire measures. It is a regional responsibility.
In the end, the peaceful path is straightforward. Cambodia must clear the land mines it planted. It must stop provoking incidents and end its victimhood drama. Anything less undermines ASEAN’s solidarity and stability as well as the ASEAN chair’s leadership.
