THAI FOREIGN MINISTER SIHASAK PHUANGKETKEOW ATTEMPTS TO DISTORT EVIDENCE
A fact-finding commission that governs the use of munitions in this war is a good step forward for bringing peace to the region and raising awareness of this important area of international law, but only if it is conducted with a true commitment to peace and an unrestricted study that includes cluster munitions, chemical weapons, land mines and all other controlled ordinances in the area.
Anything less than these terms is only another attempt by Thailand to distort or avoid evidence of its misunderstanding of the history of the region and its alleged violations of international law.
We must remember that whether there is a commission or not, Thailand is currently in violation of its agreement secured by the United States to end hostilities, so while this effort to advance a new commission is deserving support, it does not absolve Thailand from its outstanding obligations to Cambodia, the United States, Malaysia, and the ASEAN region to continue the peace process. And a principal part of this peace process is the return of Cambodia’s 18 soldiers. Thailand’s continued unjustified detention of these soldiers remains direct evidence of Thailand’s prioritization of politics over humanitarian principles.
Peace is perhaps much harder for Thailand than war, because it requires not only a commitment to peace but a stable, mature government that is capable of seeing it through to the end.
YOUK CHHANG
Director, Documentation Center of Cambodia
December 2, 2025
e: dccam@online.com.kh
Ref.: Thailand set to call for action over landmines near Cambodia border.
[Thai] Foreign Minister [Sihasak Phuangketkeow] tells NIKKEI Asia he will request an international fact-finding mission, December 1, 2025.
Photo: (L) THAI FOREIGN MINISTER SIHASAK PHUANGKETKEOW (2025), (R) YOUK CHHANG, DCCAM DIRECTOR (2024).
