Bangkok has hit back at Cambodia in meetings at the United Nations, accusing Phnom Penh of continued aggression, after its delegates again levelled false accusations over border disputes that have led to the loss of civilian and military lives.
Cambodian delegates raised the issue of the deadly, ongoing border clashes with Thai troops during a UN meeting on the ‘Peaceful Settlement of Border Disputes in Central Asia’ and during the UN Security Council (UNSC) Open Debate on ‘Leadership for Peace’.
Speaking at both meetings, Thailand’s representative, Minister-Counsellor Rachada Suthepakul, said that Cambodia’s inhumane and indiscriminate armed attacks since December 7th have caused civilian casualties and extensive damage to civilian infrastructure.
She said that more than 400,000 civilians have been evacuated for safety reasons, while about 200 hospitals and primary care centres have been forced to relocate patients and suspend operations.
Nearly 400 schools have also had to halt classes due to the fighting. Rachada said these actions constitute a clear violation of international humanitarian law.
Rachada said Thailand has been compelled to exercise its inherent right to self-defence, under Article 51 of the UN Charter, while strictly complying with international humanitarian law, including the principles of necessity, proportionality, distinction and precaution, in order to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity and to ensure the safety of its people.
The world is seeing an eroding respect for international law and a troubling normalisation of the use of force, thus making the role of the UNSC more important than ever, she said.
Rachada noted that the latest unprovoked attacks occurred shortly after the Thai foreign minister had presented verified evidence from the ASEAN Observer Team, along with video footage, showing Cambodia’s unlawful placement of new PMN-2 landmines inside Thai territory, at the 22nd Meeting of States Parties to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention in Geneva.
Heavy attacks also followed Thailand’s seizure of assets worth billions of US dollars from Cambodian nationals linked to online scam operations, whom Thai authorities claim are close associates of Cambodian leaders.
She also said Cambodia’s raising of the border disputes at the UN meetings undermine the spirit of multilateral cooperation.
Thailand reaffirmed its readiness to engage constructively in the pursuit of peace, provided that Cambodia fulfils its obligations and demonstrates genuine sincerity and good faith by ceasing all acts of hostility and provocation.
Rachada came to the defence of Thailand after Cambodia’s Keo Chhea, the Permanent Representative of Cambodia to the United Nations (UN), falsely claimed during a meeting that Thailand had continued its military attacks against Cambodia’s seven provinces, one of which is Siem Reap, which does not border Thailand.
The attacks, he claimed, have killed 15 civilians, including an infant, displaced more than 409,000 people and damaged civilian infrastructure and the Preah Vihear Temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“Thailand’s intensified shelling and airstrikes, up to 90 kilometres inside Cambodia’s civilian zones, constitute a clear act of aggression and not a mere border issue or self-defence,” he said.
