There is nothing wrong with the Thai government’s heightened attention to mines and unexploded ordinance along the border. This is a decades old problem, and I am confident that the Cambodian people would agree in principle with the view that these silent weapons of war have killed or maimed thousands of innocent people on both sides. However given the current situation along the border, this is not the most primary issue preventing peace.
Thailand needs to stop redirecting the debate to secondary issues and focus on the matter at hand, which is a transparent, honest and unequivocal commitment to peace along the border. Mines and unexploded ordinance are just one element of this strategic problem that both countries must work together to resolve, and resolution is only possible through honesty, transparency and a good faith commitment on the part of not just the governments, but also the militaries.
The Thai military, specifically, is not acting in unity with the Thai government, at least as observed on the ground.
Youk Chhnag is the director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia (DC-Cam). The views and opinions expressed are his own.
