Cambodia using civilians to invade Thai territory, says Thai army
RTA spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said on Monday that Cambodians were building housing beyond the allocated refugee zone in Ban Nong Chan of tambon Non Mak Mun in Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo.
He said Thailand set up a humanitarian refugee area there to help Cambodian victims fleeing internal conflict in 1977.
When the conflict inside Cambodia ended some Cambodian refugees there refused to leave. The Cambodian government then also claimed the area was Cambodian soil, and supported its citizens settling there. It expanded the Cambodian community, pressing further into Thai territory.
Thailand had been protesting against this invasion since 2014, but to no avail, Maj Gen Winthai said.
'Cambodia has insincere intentions, encouraging its citizens on the frontier to invade sovereign Thai soil. This may be aimed at avoiding direct confrontation with our military.
"It is understood that this action is the result of a well organised plot, and if Thailand responds it [Cambodia] will distort the incident to discredit Thailand and seek sympathy from the international community, as it has been doing,' the Thai army spokesman said.
'Thailand's past humanitarian aid and generosity towards our neighbour should not be used by Cambodia to unfairly discredit Thailand,' Maj Gen Winthai said.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Bangkok Post
8 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Pheu Thai rallies to back besieged PM Paetongtarn
The Pheu Thai Party on Monday gave its full backing to suspended Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra ahead of the Constitutional Court's ruling on a leaked audio clip and dismissed as highly unlikely the possibility of the Bhumjaithai Party rejoining the coalition even if a leadership change occurred. Pheu Thai list-MP and chief government whip Visuth Chainaroon said party MPs are unconcerned about the Aug 29 ruling and have full confidence that Ms Paetongtarn's comments, made during a private phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, were intended to protect national interests and preserve peace amid heightening tensions. He said that morale within the party remains strong and there is no need for a backup plan because Ms Paetongtarn acted in good faith and she would receive justice. The Pheu Thai veteran downplayed legal concerns, saying the conversation in question was outside formal negotiations and that security along the Thai-Cambodian border situation is supervised by the military. According to Mr Visuth, even in the worst-case scenario, Pheu Thai would retain the premiership, leaving only a very slim chance for the Bhumjaithai Party to be brought back into the government. If Ms Paetongtarn is removed from the post by the court ruling, the selection process for a new prime minister will begin. Pheu Thai still has one more prime ministerial candidate, Chaikasem Nitisiri, on the list to be nominated for a House vote. Digital Economy and Society Minister and Pheu Thai veteran Prasert Jantararuangtong on Monday denied speculation that Ms Paetongtarn is preparing to step down as premier. It is believed that a resignation ahead of the ruling would give the court no grounds to proceed with the case. If the case is dropped, Ms Paetongtarn could escape being found guilty of ethical misconduct. Ms Paetongtarn is accused of violating ethical standards after being heard trying to appease Hun Sen with her willingness to yield to his demands.
Bangkok Post
8 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Thai govt takes Cambodian landmine saga to UN
Thailand is stepping up its response to Cambodia's alleged use of landmines along the border by invoking mechanisms under the Ottawa Convention and inviting international observers to witness the situation firsthand. At a briefing on Monday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said Thailand has lodged formal protests against Cambodia, notified Asean chair Malaysia and mobilised its UN ambassadors in Geneva and New York. He added that Thailand will initiate formal proceedings under the Ottawa Convention before its annual meeting in December. Cambodia is a signatory to the convention. 'This is intended to highlight Cambodia's violation of the Convention and to exert pressure through the Committee on Cooperative Compliance,' Mr Nikorndej said. Meanwhile, according to Mr Nikorndej, the Royal Thai Armed Forces have arranged a field visit for the General Border Committee's Interim Observer Team (IOT) to Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket and Surin, set to take place from Monday to Wednesday. The IOT, established during the Extraordinary GBC meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 7, includes 14 military attachés from various Asean countries. The delegation will visit an operations centre, observe field activities and inspect sites where Thai soldiers and civilians were harmed by landmines allegedly planted by Cambodian forces. 'This will allow the IOT to witness verifiable evidence firsthand and convey the truth of Cambodia's violations to the international community, countering disinformation and fabricated narratives,' Mr Nikorndej said.
Bangkok Post
9 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Govt takes landmine saga to UN
Thailand is stepping up its response to Cambodia's alleged use of landmines along the border by invoking mechanisms under the Ottawa Convention and inviting international observers to witness the situation firsthand. At a briefing on Monday, Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said Thailand has lodged formal protests against Cambodia, notified Asean chair Malaysia and mobilised its UN ambassadors in Geneva and New York. He added that Thailand will initiate formal proceedings under the Ottawa Convention before its annual meeting in December. Cambodia is a signatory to the convention. 'This is intended to highlight Cambodia's violation of the Convention and to exert pressure through the Committee on Cooperative Compliance,' Mr Nikorndej said. Meanwhile, according to Mr Nikorndej, the Royal Thai Armed Forces have arranged a field visit for the General Border Committee's Interim Observer Team (IOT) to Ubon Ratchathani, Si Sa Ket and Surin, set to take place from Monday to Wednesday. The IOT, established during the Extraordinary GBC meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 7, includes 14 military attachés from various Asean countries. The delegation will visit an operations centre, observe field activities and inspect sites where Thai soldiers and civilians were harmed by landmines allegedly planted by Cambodian forces. 'This will allow the IOT to witness verifiable evidence firsthand and convey the truth of Cambodia's violations to the international community, countering disinformation and fabricated narratives,' Mr Nikorndej said.
