Although the sounds of firing have faded since the heavy fighting of December, the Thai military continue to occupy Cambodian territory in at least 14 locations. What is worse is how they appear to be breaching the December 27 ceasefire by reinforcing their positions and erecting large barricades, preventing many displaced families from returning to their homes.
Many commentators have suggested that the Thais are attempting to create a fair accompli, hoping that their control of the captured territory will become normalised. A group of artists are determined to ensure that does not happen, by designing and painting a large mural which will document the Thai violations.
Several of the Kingdom’s top artists will begin painting the piece, in the capital’s Wat Botum Park, this Friday, February 20.
Activist Tan Kimsour, who initiated the campaign, noted that the mural will be the second by the group, after the “Art for Peace” project, in Siem Reap.
He explained that while the earlier piece displayed the hardships Cambodian displaced people suffered from Thai military aggression, he said the Phnom Penh version will depict an update of the situation on the ground, while calling for peace and urging a Thai military withdrawal.
Kimsour noted that the work would include details of the continuing occupation of Cambodian territory by Thai forces and the destruction of religious shrine and statues, as well as the lives of families whose homes have been cut off by shipping container and razor wire barricades.
“We want the international community to take action to push [the Thai military] away,” he said, adding that he believed the Siem Reap mural had helped to share the Kingdom’s message with the world.
“The mural in Phnom Penh will feature current affairs at Cambodia borders; we will depict the religious aspect; the harassment committed against Cambodian women and the lives of the displaced people who remain at sanctuaries.
“We will show the destruction of civilian infrastructure and world heritage sites; it is indescribable,” he added.
Kimsour hoped the latest mural would send a strong message to the international community.
“We hope that they will take action based on the facts on the ground and end all of the aggression,” he said.
According to Cambodian authorities, the Thai military occupies at least 14 locations on Cambodian soil. They are building roads, placing additional razor wire barricades and digging fortifications.
The authorities described the Thai actions as violating the December 27 ceasefire, which was aimed at freezing military actions and paving the way for the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) to fulfil their tasks.
