Cambodians in Japan call for peace back home: Envoy
Dozens of Cambodians from across Japan marched to the Thai embassy in Tokyo, calling for an end to the border dispute.
The spontaneous protest, which was not organised by the Cambodian embassy in Japan, drew participants from all walks of life.
'We did not expect the participation of so many Cambodians who were not announced by the embassy,'
Cambodian ambassador to Japan Tuy Ry was visiting the Wat Phnom Thma Kambor refugee camp in Oddar Meanchey province's Banteay Ampil district on Aug 11. He shared his surprise at the number of Cambodians who took part in the march.
'They came from all sides out of their own hearts, wanting to show that Cambodians love Cambodians, Cambodians have one heart, Cambodians of all political trends, all classes, do not take sides. Now is the opportunity for Cambodians to unite as one,' he said.
On Aug 11, ambassador Ry and Meas Kim Heng, secretary of state at the foreign ministry, led a delegation on a field visit to displacement camps in Banteay Ampil district, Oddar Meanchey province, and Srey Snam district, Siem Reap province. Hong Raksmey
'The protesters condemned Thailand for initiating attacks on Cambodian troops and accused the Thai military of deploying F-16 jets to drop bombs, releasing chemical fumes and using internationally banned cluster munitions,' he told The Post.
They also called for the immediate release of 18 detained Cambodian soldiers.
'I believe that there was surprise and interest from the international community,' Ry noted.
'Cambodian people abroad have the same spirit, showing one Cambodian heart,' he added.
The ambassador voiced strong support for the Cambodian government's stance on demanding Thailand's full adherence to the ceasefire and backed the use of Asean monitoring mechanisms to ensure compliance.
He also urged national and international NGOs visiting the refugee camps in Banteay Ampil to bear witness to the 'difficult situation of peace-loving Cambodians' displaced by the conflict.
'Living in the refugee camp is not as comfortable as at home,' he noted.
'When they heard about the ceasefire agreement, they wanted to go home,' he said.
The ambassador paired a diplomatic push with material aid.
On Aug 13, embassy representatives visited troops in the Preah Vihear military operation area, delivering 100 ICOM radios, 20 power banks, 100 kilogrammes of garlic, 100 large water bottles, 100 cartons of purified water and a tonne of rice.
The same day, they met with 700 refugee families at Wat Oudorkiri Toul Andet camp in Kulen district, distributing aid worth 100,000 riel ($25) per family.
On Aug 14, the delegation plans to visit 101 wounded soldiers at 16 Makara Hospital in Preah Vihear.
Cambodians in Japan raised more than $22,426 for the effort, while ESEA-Japan and local Cambodians contributed over $12,000, bringing the total to $34,180.
According to Ry, the aid package for Preah Vihear troops totalled over 34 million riel ($8,680), support for displaced families reached 70 million riels ($17,500) and assistance for injured soldiers amounted to 32 million riels ($8,000).
He also voiced his support for Prime Minister Hun Manet's nomination of US President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing his role in defusing tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border.
'I would like to emphasise that the generous contributions of Cambodian philanthropists in Japan, together with the officials and staff of the Cambodian embassy in Japan and the ESEA team of the Ministry of Labour and Vocational Training, reflect the virtues and unity of Cambodians — our one heart, our love for the nation, and our deep respect and gratitude for the brave heroes who have worked tirelessly to defend Cambodia's sovereignty and territorial integrity from Thailand's aggression,' he said.
'All the philanthropists also expressed their condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers, who bravely and selflessly sacrificed their lives in service to the nation and in defence of Cambodian territory,' he added. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
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