Cambodia’s envoy to the UN in New York has refuted claims by his Thai counterpart, issuing a detailed statement which accused the Thai ambassador of delivering a “political narrative that distorts the historical record”.
Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Thai ambassador and permanent representative, addressed the 81st Session of the UNGA General Debate on September 28. He repeated several of the Thai government’s claims, saying that Cambodian citizens settled on Thai territory and that Cambodia had elected to initiate the UNCLOS mechanism, despite Thai offers of bilateral talks.
He also insisted that Thailand respects the current ceasefire, while demanding that Cambodia stop issuing accusations at international forums. He then accused Cambodia of laying new landmines near the border.
Cambodian permanent representative Chhea Keo issued a detailed statement, which included several maps, to the UN secretary general, detailing Thai military operations during the clashes of July and December last year.
He outlined the use of tanks, heavy artillery, F-16 and Gripen fighter jets, drones and cluster munitions in several Cambodian provinces.
The September 29 statement, obtained by The Post today, outlined evidence which disputes Thai claims that the terms of the December 27 ceasefire are being observed.
It noted that the agreement requires both sides to cease all activities, but observed that Thai forces have continued to construct fortifications, including razor wire and shipping container barricades, while unilateral pushing frontier deeper into Cambodian sovereign territory.
Rebutting Cherdchai’s claim of Cambodian displaced civilians had lived on Thai territory, Chhea described such claims as “regrettable”.
“Cambodia also notes with regret Thailand’s attempt to invoke events of past decades to justify present-day military incursions and the continued unlawful occupation of Cambodian territory while Thailand does not accept Cambodia’s repeated invitations for the prompt resumption of the survey and demarcation work of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission,” he said.
Chhea also repeated comments by Thomas H. Andrews, UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in Cambodia, who said that the roughly 20,000 displaced people from the border “need, and deserve, to go home”.
Chhea also refuted Cherdchai’s claim that Cambodia “seeks to internationalise the dispute”, especially with regarded to the Kingdom-initiated UNCLOS compulsory conciliation for maritime dispute.
“Cambodia respectfully disagrees. Resorting to mechanisms established under the charter and treaties freely accepted by both states does not constitute an improper internationalisation of disputes. Rather, it reflects the exercise of peaceful means of dispute settlement expressly recognised by international law,” he said.
“The value of conciliation should be approached as a meaningful opportunity to bridge differences, rebuild trust and lay a stronger foundation for peaceful and constructive relations between our two countries,” he added.
He also addressed Thai claims that Cambodian forces had laid new landmines near the border.
“Cambodia’s commitment to the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty is rooted not only in its treaty obligations but also in its own national experience. Having endured the devastating humanitarian consequences of anti-personnel mines for decades, Cambodia remains firmly committed to the convention’s object and purpose,” he noted.
During the September 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Chanvirakul declared that Thailand will not concede anything unless Cambodia did so first.
“Thailand’s conditions only,” he stated.
Responding to this statement, Chhea explained that restoring trust must be grounded in concrete commitments.
“For this to be realised, Thailand must cease all unlawful activities, refrain from further unilateral actions and work to de-escalate tensions, foster mutual trust, and preserve peace and good neighbourliness along the border,” he said.
“Cambodia therefore remains firmly committed to resolving all outstanding issues through peaceful means, in accordance with the Charter, international law and existing bilateral agreements,” he continued.
Chhea requested that the UN circulate his statement.