Cambodian Ambassador Denounces Thai Diplomat's Attempt to Suppress Border Dispute Concerns as "Ridiculous"

PARIS, Sept 2, 2026 (KPT) — Cambodia’s ambassador to France, Luy David, said a Thai diplomat had attempted to dissuade him from raising the border dispute with Thailand at the Francophonie Forum, calling the move “ridiculous.” David told reporters the approach was made indirectly through an envoy from a third country. “Your country invaded my country and has even attempted to distort the facts, turning black into white and white into black,” he said. “As a Cambodian diplomat, I have a duty to defend the national interest, uphold the truth, and make the international community fully aware of which side is the aggressor and which side is the victim.” He stressed there was no reason for him to remain silent. Earlier Wednesday, Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence rejected claims by a senior Thai military official that Cambodian forces fired first during clashes in July 2025, accusing Bangkok of aggression that “can no longer be hidden from international eyes.” The ministry dismissed the allegation by Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee, director of Thailand’s Joint Information Centre, as “unfounded and false.” It said Thai forces launched an “unprovoked armed attack” on Cambodian territory on July 24, 2025, and later portrayed themselves as victims to justify military actions under the guise of self‑defence. Officials pointed to Thailand’s announcement of the “Chakrabongse Bhuvanath” war‑readiness plan days before the clashes, saying this showed the response was pre‑planned. Government spokesman Pen Bona said Cambodia continued to support the ASEAN Observer Team (AOT), which has resumed its mission to observe, verify and report on developments in border areas. Observers are assessing sites where Thai forces deployed barbed wire and shipping containers, as well as the situation of displaced civilians. Bona said information gathered by the AOT would provide a professional basis for reporting and deepen understanding of what Cambodia describes as aggression against its territory.