Pich Chantrea, a Cambodian graduate of the US Military Academy at West Point, has collected 26,456 signatures on a petition calling for the Swedish government to reconsider approving the sale of Gripen fighter jets to Thailand.
The jets were used by the Thai military to carry out airstrikes on Cambodian territory during the July 24-28 border conflict. It marked the first time the Saab-manufactured aircraft had ever been used in combat.
On September 8, Chantrea submitted the petition to the Speaker of the Swedish Parliament and the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs.
Chantrea, a well-known social commentator known as Moon Pich, told The Post that he was moved to share his concerns about the sale with the Swedish government because the aircraft were used to not only target military sites but also civilian areas, resulting in harm to innocent people, including children.
He noted that these acts forced hundreds of thousands of Cambodian citizens from their homes, with many children unable to attend school.
Chantrea believed that his efforts were not in vain, even if they may not immediately change Sweden’s policies.
He hoped the petition will encourage Sweden to carefully review future military agreements with Thailand and raise awareness about Sweden’s responsibilities, as a global leader in promoting peace, human rights and democracy.
“We acknowledge the importance of Sweden’s national interests in its relations with Thailand. However, with the unresolved border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, selling arms to Thailand is not only inappropriate but also contradicts Sweden’s longstanding commitment to peace and human rights. We urge the Swedish Parliament to hold the government accountable and reconsider further military cooperation and arms sales with Thailand,” the petition read.
Kin Pha, director of the Institute of International Relations at the Royal Academy of Cambodia, previously told The Post that in his opinion, given the recent cessation of hostilities between Cambodia and Thailand, Sweden should not sell fighter jets to Thailand.
“Sweden positions itself as a champion of human rights, but its actions now risk undermining its dignity and honour on the international stage,” he said.
On August 25, Sweden and Thailand signed an agreement for the sale of four Gripen E/F fighter jets, part of a 12-jet deal valued at over half a billion dollars. The agreement came just weeks after the jets were used to launch attacks on Cambodia.
