PHNOM PENH – Minister of Interior Sar Sokha has raised questions about the sincerity of Thai authorities. He cited several issues, from the killing of a Cambodian soldier to the closure of borders to the dissemination of “false” information to the world regarding ongoing border issues with Cambodia.
In a social media statement – posted today, June 25 – he questioned Thailand’s claims that they have not closed the border, but prohibit people from crossing.
Sokha suggested that Thailand has put on a dramatic act to portray itself as a victim to the Thai public and the international community, by claiming that Thailand has fully reopened all border gates, while pointing the finger at Cambodia, who they accused of keeping the borders closed.
He said that the Cambodian government and its people are watching this “Thai drama”, and the international community is likely growing weary of Thailand’s actions, as they struggle to keep up with Thailand’s deceptive tactics.
“Thailand claims to have opened border gates but does not allow public crossings. What kind of behaviour is this? Such actions are grounds for inclusion in a case to condemn and hold Thailand legally accountable.
“If Thailand is truly sincere and has officially opened all crossings, they must issue a public announcement or statement to Cambodia and the world, confirming that they are fully resuming operations of the gates they unilaterally closed in the past,” added Sokha.
He noted that since the moment Thai soldiers ambushed and killed a Cambodian soldier before dawn on May 28 at Mum Bei area in Preah Vihear province, the Thai government, military and even opposition groups have continuously provoked, distorted facts and tried to mislead both the Thai public and the international community.
He believed these actions aimed to downplay the “despicable act” committed by Thailand in Mum Bei, conceal internal political divisions and obscure the fragile state of the current Thai government.
Tensions at the Thai-Cambodian border continue to escalate day by day, with border crossings almost entirely restricted, except for school students and medical patients.
