Thailand’s Baseless Accusations Cannot Silence Cambodia’s Truth
Thailand’s Baseless Accusations Cannot Silence Cambodia’s Truth
-Opinion-
During the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, Thailand’s new Foreign Minister stood before the world and accused Cambodia of being the aggressor and instigator of recent clashes along the shared border. This accusation is not only unjustified but entirely groundless. It is a deliberate distortion of reality, designed to mask Thailand’s own provocations and to mislead the international community.
Cambodia is a peace-loving nation. For years, Cambodia has sought to resolve disputes through dialogue, diplomacy, and international law. Cambodia has welcomed the involvement of ASEAN and respected multilateral mechanisms. Cambodia has acted in good faith to prevent escalation. Yet, time and again, Thailand chooses confrontation over cooperation.
The facts reveal the truth that Thailand tries to hide.
First, Thailand rejects ASEAN observers because transparency would expose its provocations. Cambodia has repeatedly expressed readiness to host neutral observers in disputed areas. If Thailand is innocent, why deny ASEAN the opportunity to monitor the situation? Cambodia’s willingness stands in sharp contrast to Thailand’s refusal, which only fuels suspicion that Thailand fears what impartial eyes would see.
Second, Thailand avoids the International Court of Justice because law would prove it wrong. Cambodia has always supported the ICJ as the fair and legitimate forum to resolve territorial disputes. International law exists to prevent precisely the kind of unilateral claims that Thailand continues to make. Cambodia is confident in its legal position, rooted in history, treaties, and past ICJ rulings. Thailand’s rejection of this path exposes its lack of confidence in its own claims.
Third, Thailand restricts international media because truth is not on its side. Cambodia has nothing to hide. Cambodia has allowed international journalists to report freely from its border areas, showing the world what is happening on the ground. Thailand, however, limits media access, fearing that global coverage would expose its role as the aggressor. If Thailand were truly the victim it claims to be, it would welcome journalists instead of silencing them.
These three realities tell the world everything it needs to know: Thailand fears transparency, fears justice, and fears truth—because all three reveal its provocations.
Cambodia will not be silenced by baseless accusations, whether voiced in Bangkok or on the world stage. Cambodia will continue to defend its sovereignty, safeguard its people, and uphold the principles of peace and international law. For Cambodia, this is not about aggression but about justice and national dignity.
The international community must not be deceived by Thailand’s false narrative. Peace cannot be built on distortion. Peace requires truth, accountability, and respect for international law. Cambodia remains ready to pursue these principles. It is Thailand that resists them.
The world deserves to know the truth: it is not Cambodia that seeks conflict—it is Thailand that fears peace built on justice.
Roth Santepheap is geopolitical analyst based in Phnom Penh. The views expressed are his own.
-Khmer Times-
