Thailand Rejects Cambodian Claims Over Preah Vihear Area, Denies Territorial Occupation

The Joint Information Centre (JIC) of Thailand has strongly refuted claims made by Cambodian officials asserting that "Preah Vihear" (Prasat Kna in Thai) belongs to Cambodia and accusing Thailand of territorial occupation and destruction of the ancient site. Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sonside, Director of the JIC, stated that the Cambodian assertion of "100% Cambodian ownership" of Preah Vihear and the accusations of Thai forces occupying the area, altering the condition of the ancient monument, and destroying its stairs are unilateral statements that cannot be considered conclusive under international law. Thailand does not accept claims of sovereignty over disputed areas by any single party. He emphasized that border issues with differing opinions must be considered through bilateral mechanisms agreed upon by both countries, relying on legally sound evidence such as treaties, historical documents, and past boundary demarcation records, rather than solely on the statements or interpretations of maps by one side. Regarding Cambodia's reference to maps, even at scales of 1:200,000 or 1:50,000, indicating Preah Vihear is within Cambodian territory, Air Chief Marshal Prapas described this as a unilateral claim. Under international law, both Thailand and Cambodia must jointly survey and establish border markers through bilateral mechanisms, making it impossible to determine sovereignty based on one-sided map interpretations. Addressing the accusation of territorial occupation, Air Chief Marshal Prapas clarified that Thailand's security measures, area control, and management of the ancient monument are conducted within areas Thailand considers under its control and are in line with joint statements made by both countries. He explicitly denied claims of Thailand occupying Cambodian territory. Concerning the allegation that Thailand burned or destroyed the stairs leading to the temple, the JIC Director stated that such accusations require verifiable evidence. Thailand is prepared to allow factual investigations based on objective evidence and cannot accept conclusions drawn from unilateral claims. Air Chief Marshal Prapas reiterated Thailand's commitment to resolving the Thai-Cambodian border issue through bilateral mechanisms, adhering to international law and joint statements. He reaffirmed the importance of de-escalation, avoiding provocation and the use of force, and refraining from any actions that could worsen the situation. "JIC Thailand urges all parties to exercise caution in public communication, prioritizing facts and avoiding the dissemination of information that could lead to misunderstandings or increased tensions. We affirm Thailand's readiness to engage constructively based on international law, good faith, and good neighborly relations to sustainably preserve peace and stability along the Thai-Cambodian border," he concluded. Source: INN News