Thailand Urges Global Scrutiny of Border Conflict Origins, Cites Cambodian Aggression

Air Force Deputy Commander-in-Chief Gen. Prapas Sonjaiyee, in his capacity as Director of the Thailand-Cambodia Situation Information Center (JIC), urged the international community not to forget the root cause of the border situation. He stated, "The international community should not start evaluating the situation solely from the day Thailand used force to retaliate, because the clashes did not begin on that day." Gen. Prapas asserted that based on available evidence, Cambodia was the party that initiated hostilities, encroached, provoked, and fired BM-21 rockets, causing damage to Thai civilians and property. Thailand's response, he explained, was aimed at stopping the threat and protecting its sovereignty, not at occupying territory. He emphasized that Thailand's military operations were conducted under the right of self-defense and international humanitarian law, with a strict focus on target differentiation, proportionate use of force, and minimizing civilian impact. Thailand does not seek conflict, but bilateral mechanisms, particularly the Joint Border Commission, can only function and conduct fact-finding missions when the border area is secure. Therefore, reducing provocations, mitigating the threat of landmines, and respecting the ceasefire are necessary. Gen. Prapas added that all parties should adhere to existing joint statements, negotiation mechanisms, and cooperation, rather than using public forums to make unilateral accusations to steer or judge the issue. "Thailand is not asking the world to choose sides, but only to examine the entire sequence of events by the same standard. Our goal is not to win the information war, but the safety of our people, the protection of our sovereignty, and lasting peace," he concluded. The core message of Thailand's stance is that Cambodia fired first, Thailand defended itself, all events should be examined chronologically, a safe zone should be created, agreements must be respected, border mechanisms and negotiations should proceed, and lasting peace should be pursued. Source: INN News