Thai Military's Plunder of Cambodian Citizens' Property Reported by International Media, Says Government Spokesperson

Pen Bona, Spokesperson for the Royal Government of Cambodia, stated that in recent times, major international media outlets have been continuously reporting on the reality at the Cambodia-Thailand border. He noted that the atrocities, such as the plunder of Cambodian citizens' property by the Thai military, are also being revealed. Speaking at the daily press conference of the Government Spokesperson Unit on September 8th, Pen Bona said that the series of acts, including the looting of Cambodian territory, destruction of Khmer temples, causing death and injury to civilians, and the plunder of Cambodian citizens' property by the Thai military, are shaking the hearts of people worldwide and drawing attention to this "vicious war of aggression." He stated, "Through the continuous revelations by international media and the active and vibrant diplomacy of the Royal Government, under the principle of being quiet yet not silent, the illegal occupation of Cambodian territory by Thai forces is garnering significant attention from the international community." Pen Bona observed and quoted writings from foreign journalists covering the Cambodia-Thailand war. These reports indicated that the Thai military is strengthening its foothold on Cambodian territory, that the lives of Cambodian refugees are in turmoil due to being forced to abandon their homes and livelihoods, and that refugees wish to return home. He elaborated that what is happening at the Cambodia-Thailand border is not a normal armed conflict but a deliberate war of territorial annexation. He described the attacks by Thailand on Cambodia as a well-orchestrated plan involving ground, naval, and air forces, not an act of self-defense, but a meticulously prepared offensive. Pen Bona asserted that these developments mark the beginning of the truth being told about Thailand's war of aggression against Cambodia. He also highlighted that the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights, Thomas Andrews, as well as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Conference of Speakers, have previously raised concerns, underscoring the international community's attention to Cambodia's victimhood and demands for a resolution to the conflict. The war of aggression by Thailand against Cambodia has caused a severe human rights crisis, with approximately 20,000 Cambodian citizens still unable to return to their homes. Thailand has erected barbed wire, containers, and deployed soldiers to guard the border. Meanwhile, Cambodian citizens' homes have been destroyed, and their property has been looted by Thai soldiers, with the spoils of war even being posted on social media. Information Source: Kampuchea Thmey Local