SI SA KET, Aug 1 (TNA) – Thailand today escorted a large delegation of ambassadors, military attachés, and international media to its border with Cambodia, aiming to highlight recent clashes and alleged Cambodian territorial infringements.
Led by Deputy Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Anuparp Sirimonthon and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Russ Jalichandra, the group received briefings on recent events, inspect affected areas, and observe the impacts of Cambodian long-range weapon use on Thai civilians, which Thailand deems violations of international law.
In a key development, Thailand announced the return of two of the 20 detained Cambodian soldiers, one injured and one with a psychiatric illness, on humanitarian grounds. Thailand affirmed its adherence to the Geneva Conventions in caring for all detainees.
Thai officials also addressed Cambodian activities in the disputed Chong Anma area, asserting Thai sovereignty and protesting Cambodian construction and settlement as violations of international agreements. Thailand stated that recent damage in the area resulted from fighting where Thai forces targeted military objectives while Cambodian forces allegedly used civilian structures as shields, with no civilian casualties reported.
After visiting areas impacted by recent border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia, Colonel Norbert Johannes Moerkens, the Dutch Defence Attaché for Thailand on Friday thanked Thailand’s Ministries of Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Defense for the opportunity to see the situation firsthand.
“It’s always important to see with your own eyes what has been going on,” the attaché said, expressing deep regret for those affected. “I feel terribly sorry for the people who had to move, leave their houses, their lives affected… and also the victims that have fallen on this side and other side.”
“I hope that both nations will be able to find a solution together, sooner and quicker,” he said.- 819 (TNA)
