Thailand’s Dangerous Attempt to Apply Its Law on Cambodian Territory
Thailand’s latest attempt to apply its domestic law on Cambodian nationals living in Banteay Meanchey province’s Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villages
-Opinion-
Thailand’s latest attempt to apply its domestic law on Cambodian nationals living in Banteay Meanchey province’s Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villages represents nothing less than an assault on Cambodia’s sovereignty and international law. By threatening life imprisonment — or even the death penalty — against peaceful Cambodian villagers, Bangkok is showing its willingness to trample over borders, agreements and basic human rights in order to advance its territorial ambitions.
On September 17, Thai security forces used tear gas and rubber bullets against Cambodian civilians in Prey Chan Village. The following day, a spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army publicly announced that Thai domestic law would be applied to Cambodians in the area — despite the fact that this territory is under dispute and remains subject to the boundary demarcation process. This escalation is not only provocative; it is unlawful. It flagrantly violates the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against another state’s territorial integrity, and it contravenes the fundamental principle that borders cannot be changed by violence.
Applying Thai criminal penalties, including capital punishment, on Cambodian nationals in their own land is an egregious violation of human rights. It denies people the right to peaceful protest, freedom of expression, and assembly — all enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Thailand itself is a party. Such actions also breach the ASEAN Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation, which commit member states to resolving disputes peacefully and refraining from provocative acts.
Thailand’s reckless assertion of sovereignty through domestic law enforcement in a disputed area undermines the very foundation of international agreements. It contradicts a 2000 memorandum of understanding between Cambodia and Thailand, which created the Joint Boundary Commission to handle outstanding border demarcation issues. By bypassing this mechanism, Thailand not only disregards its own commitments but also jeopardizes regional stability.
Cambodia has demonstrated restraint and responsibility throughout this crisis, honouring the ceasefire agreement of July 28, and the General Border Committee understandings of August 7 and September 10. Thailand’s unilateral use of law and force directly undermines these commitments and risks dragging both nations into deeper conflict.
The international community must recognise Thailand’s actions for what they are: a deliberate violation of sovereignty and an assault on the rule-based order. Cambodia remains steadfast in seeking peaceful solutions to all disputes, but it will not accept intimidation, unlawful use of force or attempts to impose foreign laws on its citizens. Thailand must cease its aggressive behaviour immediately before it causes irreversible damage to peace and stability in the region.
Roth Santepheap is a Phnom Penh-based geopolitical analyst. The views and opinions expressed are his own.
-The Phnom Penh Post-
