Call for Cambodia to Respect its Deceased and Retrieve their Remains
In a recent meeting in Malaysia, General Nattapon of Thailand expressed deep concern over the ongoing border clashes with Cambodia, specifically the issue of unretrieved bodies of Cambodian soldiers who fell in these conflicts.
According to General Nattapon, the disputed areas along the border, marked by military operations including artillery exchanges and landmine incidents, have created a precarious and hostile environment. This situation has hindered efforts to recover the fallen soldiers' remains.
The Cambodian government has been accused of not retrieving the bodies, a decision that has significant consequences. The failure to recover soldiers' remains often deepens grievances and nationalistic sentiments, straining diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The emotional impact on the families of the fallen soldiers is profound, fueling further animosity that complicates ceasefire efforts and peace negotiations. The continued disputes have led to large-scale displacement, ongoing violence, and disrupted border crossings, worsening humanitarian and security conditions in the region.
Rear Admiral Surasant, spokesman for the Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, echoed General Nattapon's sentiments. He stated that the Cambodian government's actions violate the dignity of the Cambodian armed forces and Cambodia's Buddhist and cultural practices concerning body disposal.
Rear Admiral Surasant also noted that the Cambodian government's neglect of fallen soldiers reflects a disregard for the dignity of the Cambodian armed forces. The lack of effort by the Cambodian authorities to find the bodies of those lost in the armed conflict affects the morale of Cambodian troops and the families of the deceased.
General Nattapon reiterated his call for the quick retrieval of the Cambodian soldiers' bodies. He expressed sympathy for the fallen soldiers, stating that as a military officer, it is important to honour the deceased, regardless of the conflicting parties involved.
Thailand, according to General Nattapon, has properly collected and repatriated Cambodian soldiers' bodies with military honour, in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. However, many Cambodian soldiers are still left at the Thai frontier, their bodies visible during patrols.
The deputy defence minister, Nattapon Narkphanit, also called on the Cambodian government to retrieve the bodies of Cambodian soldiers who died in the border clashes with Thailand. He expressed regret that the Cambodian government had denied that the deceased soldiers were Cambodian.
General Nattapon also expressed concern that further delay in collecting the bodies could pose a health threat to nearby Cambodian villages. He urged the Cambodian government to act swiftly to resolve this issue and respect the dignity of the fallen soldiers.
- Politics and war-and-conflicts collide in the ongoing dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, as the failure to recover fallen soldiers' remains escalates tensions and strains diplomatic relations.
- General news regarding crime-and-justice arise from accusations leveled against the Cambodian government, as they are accused of neglecting the remains of their fallen soldiers, a violation of cultural practices and continues to stain their reputation in the region.
