With regard to the recent unprovoked armed attack on 15 - 16 February 2011 by Cambodian troops on Thai soldiers, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand wishes to state the following facts:
1. From 20.00 hours of 15 February 2011 to 03.00 hours of 16 February 2011, Cambodian troops launched hand grenades and opened fire, without any provocation, at Thai troops stationed on Phu Makua in Thai territory using rifles and rocket propelled grenades which resulted in the serious injury of one Thai soldier.
2. In addition to violating Thailand’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, the aforementioned armed attack by Cambodian troops illustrated Cambodia’s intention to defy the suggestion of the United Nations Security Council, which contained in the Press Statement dated 14 February 2011, urging the two countries “to display maximum restraint and avoid any action that may aggravate the situation…and to establish a permanent ceasefire”.
3. Thailand reaffirms its position that, in all these incidents, the Thai side has never opened fire first and has always exercised maximum restraint.
4. Despite the unprovoked armed attack by Cambodia, Thailand reaffirms its commitment to resolve any pending boundary issues peacefully through existing bilateral mechanisms and awaits Cambodia’s acceptance to Thailand’s proposal to host the next meeting of the Thai-Cambodian Joint Commission on Demarcation for Land Boundary (JBC) at the earliest opportunity.
5. In addition, Thailand appreciates the support and encouragement from the ASEAN family for any bilateral process, and looks forward to the success of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Informal Meeting on 22 February 2011.
For further information, please contact the Press Division, Department of Information, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Tel.02-6435170, Fax.02-6435169, E-mail: div0704@mfa.go.th