Bangkok: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement emphasizing that the video clip of Cambodian soldiers secretly laying landmines is excellent evidence. The Ministry reiterated that this video will serve as strong evidence in a lawsuit against the Ottawa Alliance. Nikorndet urged Thais to be confident, slamming Cambodia's behavior as disappointing and insincere in clearing mines, and calling for an end to distorting the facts.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Nikorndej Plankul, Director-General of the Department of Information and Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, announced the situation on the Thai-Cambodian border. He stated that today marked the final day of the ASEAN Interim Observer Team (IOT) visit, which began on Monday, August 18th, in Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, and Surin provinces. The team comprised military attaches from Brunei, Malaysia, Laos, Indonesia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, and Vietnam. The military organized a comprehensive schedule to ensure the team was informed of Cambodia's ceasefire violations and the obstruction of the National Mine Action Center's operations.
Over three days, the IOT team observed the operations of the Humanitarian Mine Action Unit. This morning, they inspected the detention center for 18 Cambodian prisoners and surveyed the Phnom Dong Rak Hospital in Surin Province, which had been affected by Cambodian attacks. During the visit to the Aan Ma area, they learned of incidents where Cambodian soldiers attempted to obstruct the IOT team's and media's observations.
Mr. Nikorndet expressed deep disappointment over the failure to comply with the ceasefire agreement. He highlighted the transparency and sincerity of the Thai side in strictly adhering to the agreement, contrasting this with Cambodia's attempts to stage events and disseminate distorted news.
In terms of bilateral mechanisms, Thailand reaffirmed its commitment to resolving issues with Cambodia peacefully through RBC, GBC, and JBC mechanisms. Most recently, on August 15-16, an extraordinary RBC meeting was held in Trat Province between the Chanthaburi Provincial Border Defense Command, the Thai Border Patrol Police, and Cambodia's Third Military Region. However, Cambodia has not responded to discuss two key issues proposed by Thailand: landmine clearance and the suppression of online crime.
Thailand remains ready to participate in RBC and GBC meetings and continues to push for urgent demining. It is hoped that Cambodia will also participate with sincerity and honesty.
Regarding the multilateral framework on the bombing of Cambodia, the Thai government has been fully committed and continuously working. Four letters have been sent to the President of the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the Ottawa Convention since a Thai soldier stepped on a landmine. The Ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva has provided a detailed explanation of the violations to the Ottawa Convention committee and will meet again on August 22 to present additional facts and evidence, urging Cambodia to cease violations and assume responsibility.
Mr. Nikorndet assured that the military's release of the video clip serves as sound evidence against Cambodia. Under the Ottawa Convention, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is presenting facts and additional evidence regarding the incident. Thailand believes Cambodia's past commitment to clearing landmines does not guarantee non-use of anti-personnel mines currently or in the future, as evident from circumstances and evidence of smuggling bombs into Thai territory.
Mr. Nikorndet emphasized that Cambodia's distortion of information, including the case of Ban Nong Chan in Sa Kaeo Province, continues to be observed. He urged public and media discretion in receiving information to prevent misunderstandings. A recent example was the accusation that Thailand placed barbed wire in Cambodian sovereignty, which the Royal Thai Army and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified.
In conclusion, Mr. Nikorndet urged Cambodia to cease distorting facts and demonstrate sincerity and honesty in resolving tensions peacefully, emphasizing the need to prevent such conflicts from becoming deeply rooted in the public consciousness on both sides.