An open letter to Governor of Sa Kaeo and the Thai Government

A Cambodian boy confronts a Thai soldier in Banteay Meanchey on September 4. The soldier asked him why he is not at school, at which the boy replied ‘You took my home and my land. I have no place to go’. FB

-Opinion-

Dear governor of Sa Kaeo and the Thai Government,

I respectfully urge you not to rush into unilateral decisions claiming that the area in the vicinity of the Nong Chan refugee camp, or any other areas along the border, belong to Thailand. Such claims are baseless unless they are judged and recognised by the International Court of Justice (ICJ) and the UN, according to the Franco–Siamese treaties of 1904 and 1907. Any unilateral action outside this framework is not only useless, but also dangerous, as it risks escalating tensions and undermining peace between our nations.

A good neighbour avoids unilateral border claims and seeks mutual agreement.

History is clear: Cambodia once possessed vast territories, but under the Franco–Siamese treaties of 1904 and 1907, large portions of land were unjustly taken and encroached upon by Thailand. These treaties remain the legal foundation for determining our borders.

Cambodia, once a great kingdom, has already lost much of its land and today stands as a small nation with limited economic and military strength compared to Thailand. Under these circumstances, the claim that Cambodia is “encroaching” into Thai territory is not only absurd and illogical, but also deeply misleading. The international community must not be swayed by such false narratives, but instead uphold historical truth, international law and Cambodia’s sovereignty.

Thailand must not attempt to distort history or unilaterally redraw borders. The correct path forward is through lawful, internationally recognised mechanisms. The ICJ and the UN are the only bodies with authority to resolve such disputes fairly and permanently.

The people of Cambodia and Thailand do not want war. They want peace, justice and respect for sovereignty. It is the duty of leaders on both sides to uphold international law and prevent unnecessary conflict.

Respectfully,

Tesh Chanthorn

Tesh Chanthorn is a Cambodian citizen and former resident of the Nong Chan area. The views and opinions expressed are his own.

-Khmer Times-