Following the deadly clash between Thai and Cambodian military, Hun Manet, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, promptly sent a letter to the United Nation claiming that Thailand has initiated an unprovoked attack on Cambodian positions along the border.
However, evidence showed clear signs of repeated Cambodian aggression in the disputed region that led to the clash. This includes a leaked photo and a video clip of Cambodian soldiers carrying new anti-personal landmines, while Phnom Penh also indiscriminate shelling of civilian targets on the Thai border.
There is also a now deleted photo and video clip showing Cambodian soldiers moving Soviet era TM-57 anti-personal landmines and placing them somewhere near the Thai border. Previously, two Thai soldiers had been severely injured by landmines in areas that are not historically a minefield. This led to two being amputated and several injured.
Both Thailand and Cambodia are signatories of the Ottawa Convention or the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Treaty, which prohibit the use, stockpiling, production, and transferring of any anti-personal mine. Furthermore, Cambodia is one of the countries most affected by the use of landmines during wartime, using such weapons is not only violating the international law, but also morally repugnant not only to Thailand but also its own people. Videos and photos of Cambodians carrying and planting these landmines should be clearly a violation of the treaty.
On Thursday morning, the Thai Army spotted Cambodian UAV flying around the area, along with six soldiers with one carrying a rocket launcher. The Thai soldiers attempted to communicate with Cambodian soldiers to de-escalate the tension, but Cambodian soldiers later opened fire at Thai soldiers.
As the clash between both sides escalated beyond the disputed region, Cambodia has indiscriminately fired its BM-21 “Grad” unguided rocket artillery on Thai civilian targets. One notable target was a local gas station with a convenience store in Ban Pue District, which during the attack many villagers were still in the area. This attack resulted in two deaths and five injuries.
At the time of 13:18, seven deaths and 14 wounded from Thailand had been reported, along with severe damage on houses and public infrastructures. The direct attack on civilians is internationally considered a war crime, and Thailand has condemned Cambodia’s action.
With this evidence, it is hard to believe that the leader of Cambodia still submitted a letter to the UN for this ‘unprovoked’ aggression.
