Prime Minister and Culture Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra recently accused Cambodia of committing a “severe war crime” by initiating the border clashes on July 24, even linking the conflict to her government’s crackdown on call center scams. These allegations are unfounded and appear to be an attempt to deflect attention from Thailand’s own acts of aggression and violations of humanitarian principles.
1. Who Fired First? The Reality on the Ground
Contrary to Thailand’s narrative, evidence from Cambodian border units confirms that Thai troops opened fire first on July 24. Since Thailand’s surprise attack on May 28, 2025, which killed a Cambodian soldier, Cambodia has consistently urged Thailand to resolve the dispute through the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Instead, Thailand’s civilian government has resorted to economic coercion, while its military has openly threatened to defeat Cambodia in three days and reach Phnom Penh in three hours.
Thailand’s deployment of heavy weapons, including the use of banned 155mm artillery shells equipped with cluster munitions, cannot be justified as “necessary and targeted.” Such weapons are internationally prohibited because of their indiscriminate and devastating impact on civilian populations.
2. Violations by Thailand: Landmines and Illegal Incursions
Paetongtarn’s claim that Cambodia planted new landmines is both misleading and unsupported by evidence. Historical records show Thailand’s repeated violations along the border, including illegal incursions and the use of prohibited weapons. Questions remain: How old were the mines that injured Thai soldiers? If they date back to Cambodia’s civil war, this suggests Thai forces crossed into Cambodian territory and triggered them. If the mines are newly planted, could Thailand’s own forces have miscalculated their placement? Alternatively, is Thailand using this incident as a pretext for escalation without providing proof?
3. Cambodia’s Consistent Call for Peace
Cambodia has consistently sought ASEAN and international mediation to prevent further violence, but Thailand has rejected these initiatives, insisting on bilateral talks it can dominate. True peace demands transparency, accountability, and respect for international law, not unilateral military force. Even after Malaysia, the current ASEAN Chair, urged both sides to agree to a ceasefire, Thailand has repeatedly violated the truce by launching unprovoked attacks on Cambodian positions. These breaches not only undermine ASEAN’s efforts to maintain peace but also reveal Thailand’s lack of commitment to any genuine de-escalation. Instead of honoring the ceasefire, Thailand continues to deploy heavy weaponry, including F-16 and 155mm artillery while advancing into Cambodian provinces far beyond the disputed border areas.
Author: PanhaCHEZDA