Cambodia’s attempt to use the 46th meeting of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), in Kuala Lumpur today, as a forum to discuss the Thai-Cambodian border conflict was foiled, when the majority of the member countries rejected Cambodia’s proposal.
Cambodian delegation to AIPA was led by House Speaker Khoun Sudary
A Thai representative at the meeting, Rangsiman Rome of the People’s party, raised an objection when the Cambodian representative proposed an urgent motion, seeking to discuss the border conflict and Cambodia’s demand for the reopening of the border between Thailand and Cambodia.
Photo: Rangsiman Rome speaks during AIPA meeting in Kuala Lumpur
Rome told the meeting that bilateral mechanisms are in place to resolve border problems, such as the General Border Committee (GBC) and the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), and such mechanisms have proved successful in easing border tensions and, therefore, there is no need for the AIPA to get involved.
Regarding the reopening of the border, Rome told the meeting that the Thai government has made clear that the border will be reopened if, or when, three conditions are met.
1. Thailand and Cambodia must withdraw all heavy weapons from border areas.
2. The two countries must cooperate on mine clearance along the border.
3. The two countries must cooperate in the prevention and suppression of transnational scam operations and human trafficking.
Rome said that the Thai government has provided information about the presence and locations of some 50 scam gangs to the Cambodian government, adding that the closures of some border checkpoints are still necessary to protect Thai people from the threats of such scam operations.
Rome also emphasised Thailand’s wish for sustainable peace to be restored between Thailand and Cambodia.
In July, Sudary attended an Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) meeting in Geneva, where, in her speech, she alleged that Thailand had violated the UN Charter and international law by invading her country and using chemical weapons.
She falsely accused Thailand of using fighter jets and heavy weapons to kill innocent people, with women and children being the most affected.
As she made this point, her voice choked and she appeared to weep, although her tone quickly returned to normal.
“Clearly, this is a war crime and a crime against humanity,” she claimed.
