International military force, Royal Thai Army, to share allegations of intentional assaults against civilians by Cambodia, with global audience
In the latest escalation of tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border, the Royal Thai Army (RTA) has strongly condemned Cambodia's deliberate attacks on civilian infrastructure, resulting in significant damage and casualties.
The RTA reports at least 13 civilian deaths due to these attacks, with homes, schools, and hospitals in the affected area, located deep inside Thai territory (10-30 km from combat zones), being destroyed. Spokesperson for the RTA, Winthai, stated that these actions are intentional violations of Thailand's sovereignty and international humanitarian law.
The RTA maintains that its military operations target only Cambodian military positions in response and are conducted within international legal norms. However, Winthai emphasized that Cambodia targeted non-combat civilian infrastructure, a clear breach of international military law and humanitarian principles.
The RTA has actively engaged the international community, arranging visits for foreign military attachés to witness the damage firsthand and presenting further evidence to diplomats to highlight Cambodia’s deliberate targeting of civilians. The focus, according to Winthai, will not be on creating misleading or superficial images.
Cambodia, on the other hand, has accused Thailand of attacks on Cambodian civilians and military sites. However, the RTA maintains that Cambodian forces initiated the violence, including firing BM-21 rockets into Thai territory. Despite a ceasefire agreement, Cambodia has reportedly continued violations, escalating tensions further.
The RTA reiterates its commitment to defend Thailand’s sovereignty and pursue peaceful negotiations but condemns Cambodia’s ongoing military aggression and misinformation campaign about the conflict. The Thai side plans to organize similar events to show the international community the damage caused by Cambodia's artillery attacks.
The visit, scheduled to inspect the area of the border clash at Chong An Ma in Ubon Ratchathani, is expected to be attended by international diplomats. The area remains a key military target despite the visit, with the RTA vowing a decisive response if Cambodia continues ceasefire violations.
Winthai stressed that Thailand is not the aggressor, but it has a legitimate right to defend its citizens and territory. The visit aims to showcase the damage caused by the use of weapons from both sides in the military operational zone. The RTA aims to communicate the true damage, including the destruction of civilian infrastructure, homes, schools, and hospitals, deliberately targeted by the Cambodian military.
- The international community has been engaged by the Royal Thai Army (RTA) to witness the devastation caused by Cambodia's targeting of civilian infrastructure, as a part of their efforts to condemn these intentional violations of Thailand's sovereignty and international humanitarian law.
- The focus of the Thai side's interactions with the international community is not on creating misleading or superficial images, but on presenting evidence of Cambodia's breach of international military law and humanitarian principles, specifically in targeting civilian infrastructure.
- The RTA's commitment to peaceful negotiations does not exempt them from taking decisive action against Cambodia's ongoing military aggression, which includes the deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure, homes, schools, and hospitals.
