Cambodian government spokesperson Pen Bona has called on Thailand to demonstrate restraint and goodwill towards peacefully resolving the current border issues, through existing bilateral mechanisms, treaties and international laws.
In a statement released this evening, October 9, Bona noted that Cambodia has observed how Thai leaders and officials at all levels have repeatedly exaggerated and distorted the truth about the border issues between Cambodia and Thailand, by accusing Cambodia of firing first and violating the terms of the ceasefire terms, as well as encroaching on Thai territory and threatening its national security.
He remarked that Thailand has consistently portrayed itself as the victim of encroachment by Cambodia, while Cambodia is the real victim. He offered Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul’s latest statement, that “Thailand is the one being encroached upon and victimised” as an example of this. He also highlighted how Anutin has attempted to set the condition that Cambodia relocate its citizens from land where they have lived for decades in return for a peace agreement.
“The spokesperson unit of the Royal Government of Cambodia would like to inform the national and international public that as a peace-loving country that aspires for a border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development with neighbouring countries, the government of Cambodia has always adhered to the principle of not invading the territory of any neighbouring countries even by a millimetre, and reserves the right to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, in accordance with national and international law,” he said.
He reiterated that Cambodia’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the border issue is based on existing mechanisms and international laws.
He also reaffirmed that Cambodia is of the view that the border issue cannot be resolved with the use of force. This is why the Royal Government has exercised utmost restraint, even in the face of provocations and violations by the Thai side during the implementation of the ceasefire agreement.
“The spokesperson unit once again calls upon Thailand to demonstrate the goodwill required to peacefully resolve the border issues with restraint through the existing bilateral mechanisms such as the JBC, GBC and RBC, in accordance with the conventions, treaties, and international laws,” he said.
“This is the only way to solve the border issues peacefully and ensure a sustainable, long-term peace,” he added.
The spokesperson unit’s reaction followed two consecutive days of statements to Thai media by the Thai new prime minister that Thailand will enforce their domestic law to claim areas in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province, alleging that Cambodian people who have dwelt there for several decades have encroached upon Thai territory.
Anutin set the removal of Cambodian “settlers” as one of the conditions Thailand required it would negotiate with Cambodia or to discuss a peace agreement with US President Donald Trump, who has reportedly sought to oversee the signing of a peace agreement, on the sidelines of the upcoming ASEAN summit.
