In response to questions regarding recent media reports alleging that the Thai side may have initiated recent clashes between Thailand and Cambodia due to domestic politics, criticizing the role of the Thai military in Thai-Cambodian relations, as well as alleging lack of coordination between the Thai Foreign Ministry and the military, Mr. Thani Thongphakdi, Director-General of the Department of Information and Foreign Ministry Spokesperson said that clarifications have already been sent to the news agencies concerned, which can be summarized as follows:
First, Thailand did not start recent clashes with Cambodia because it simply has no reason to do so and no benefit to gain therefrom. Any such adverse action would only harm Thai civilians living along the border and undo what Thailand has long been working for in promoting relations with Cambodia and advancing ASEAN on its road towards becoming an ASEAN Community. Besides trade and investment, Thailand has pursued various forms of cooperation with Cambodia, many aimed at bettering the well-being of its people. It therefore makes no sense for the Thai side to undo all this hard work.
Second, since the clashes in February 2011, there has been progress in bilateral talks. The Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission met in Bogor, Indonesia, on 7-8 April. In addition, as the UNSC and ASEAN have urged both countries to resolve the border problem bilaterally, there is no reason for Thailand to take any action to derail these processes.
Third, rather than resisting observers, it must also be recalled that it was Thailand who had invited the dispatch of Indonesian observers, the terms of reference for which is close to being finalized. The decision to invite the Indonesia observers to Thailand was also made jointly at a meeting on 20 February 2011, chaired by the Prime Minister and with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Defence and the Army Commander-in-Chief taking part. Since then, there have been close consultations between all the relevant government agencies concerned. It is therefore not true that the Foreign Ministry and the military are in disagreement on this issue and other issues regarding Cambodia.
Lastly, if one is to insist on analyzing the Thai-Cambodian issue from the perspective of domestic politics, it would only be fair to look at the situation on the other side of the border as well. The question that ought to be asked is who stands to gain the most from having the border issue escalate and internationalized. On our part, Thailand has always sought to contain the situation and address it with Cambodia through dialogue and negotiations, as other countries have done in resolving such issues.
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