Bangkok: Dr. Panithan Wattanayagorn, a security expert, has advised Thailand to elevate its discussions with China concerning the delivery of weapons to Cambodia. This comes amid concerns over the nature of these deliveries and their potential impact on regional stability.
According to Thai News Agency, Dr. Panithan highlighted the challenges in verifying whether China's delivery of military equipment to Cambodia constitutes a purchase or a gratuitous gift. He noted that China does not register these transactions in a manner recognized internationally, complicating efforts to ascertain the nature of the transfers. The weapons in question are large-scale and designed for warfare, necessitating voluntary registration-a practice Thailand has adhered to with the United Nations for many years. Occasionally, China has addressed these deliveries through statements or confirmations from ambassadors, clarifying that the shipments were based on prior orders before the 2017-2018 conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.
Despite these clarifications, ambiguity persists regarding whether the arms were a gift or a purchase. Many military analysts speculate that the delivery was a gift, given Cambodia's limited budget for such expenditures. The situation is further complicated by Cambodia's recent actions, which align with Prime Minister Hun Sen's previous declarations on reclaiming land from Thailand. Cambodia's strategic stance includes pressuring Thailand through international avenues such as UNCLOS, the United Nations, and bilateral forums, signaling a shift towards advancing its domestic political and international interests.
Dr. Panithan emphasized the urgency for Thailand to engage China at a more serious level. He suggested that Thailand should request China to halt or delay weapons deliveries to Cambodia during this sensitive period to prevent escalating tensions. This request should be made transparently to assess China's willingness to cooperate. However, Dr. Panithan warned that this approach carries risks, as an unresponsive stance from China could lead to further complications.