Cambodia Rejects Misinformation on Border Dispute with Thailand, Calls for International Intervention
SIEM REAP, Cambodia – Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand continue to escalate following recent clashes in the disputed Prey Chan border region, with Cambodia vehemently denouncing what it calls a deliberate disinformation campaign by Thai sources. The Cambodian Border Affairs Secretariat issued a strong statement on September 21st, refuting a social media post by a Facebook page identified as “Royal Thai Army: Update.” The post presented survey materials as the officially demarcated border, a claim Cambodia rejects as a blatant attempt to manipulate public perception and escalate the ongoing territorial conflict.
The disputed Facebook post, published on September 19th, displayed a field plan illustrating terrain features and boundary pillar locations in Prey Chan. According to the Cambodian Secretariat, this field plan was then manipulated to fabricate a satellite image of the border, falsely portraying it as the official boundary jointly surveyed and agreed upon by both Cambodia and Thailand. The Secretariat stressed that this was a gross misrepresentation of the facts, designed to mislead the public and create a false narrative of the border situation. The Secretariat explicitly stated that the materials used in the Facebook post were annexes to fact-finding mission reports from 2016 and 2017, specifically pertaining to the locations of Boundary Pillars 42 and 43. These documents, they emphasized, are not official maps or legally binding agreements defining the boundary line.
The core issue revolves around the unresolved status of Prey Chan. Cambodia maintains that this area remains unsettled and undemarcated, pending a resolution through proper channels, specifically the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Boundary Commission (JBC). The Secretariat unequivocally asserted that the JBC holds the sole mandate to determine the boundary in this contested area, thereby invalidating any unilateral claims or depictions put forth by either side. This clarification from the Cambodian authorities follows recent clashes in Prey Chan village that resulted in the injury of approximately 28 Cambodians, including a Buddhist monk, further inflaming the already tense situation. The incident has heightened anxieties and underscored the fragility of the peace in the border region.
Adding fuel to the fire, Thai military officials have threatened to enforce domestic laws against Cambodian residents in Chouk Chey and Prey Chan villages, issuing warnings of severe penalties, including life imprisonment and even the death penalty, for actions they deem as “acts against Thai sovereignty.” This hardline stance has further escalated tensions and sparked concerns about the potential for further violence and human rights violations. Cambodia has responded by appealing to the international community, particularly the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the United Nations, to intervene and prevent further escalation of the conflict. The Cambodian government has urged Thailand to exercise restraint, cease the use of violence against civilians, and engage in constructive dialogue to find a peaceful resolution to the border dispute.
The misleading social media post, according to the Cambodian statement, falsely implied that Lay Siengly, the head of the State Secretariat of Border Affairs, had officially endorsed and recognized the boundary line depicted in the manipulated image. This misrepresentation, Cambodia argues, is a deliberate attempt to sow discord and undermine the ongoing efforts to achieve a peaceful resolution through the established mechanisms of the JBC. Cambodia’s appeal to international organizations reflects its growing concern about the potential for the situation to deteriorate further. The government is seeking international pressure on Thailand to de-escalate the situation and return to the negotiating table.
This latest incident highlights the complex and often volatile nature of the Cambodia-Thailand border dispute, a legacy of historical territorial claims and unresolved demarcation issues. The use of social media to disseminate misinformation and potentially incite further animosity adds another layer of complexity to the situation, underscoring the importance of responsible information sharing and the critical role of international diplomacy in preventing escalations and fostering peaceful resolutions to such disputes. The international community’s response to Cambodia’s call for intervention will be crucial in determining the trajectory of this ongoing border conflict and ensuring the safety and security of the communities caught in the crossfire.
