THE Thai army late afternoon today (Nov. 13) said that the Cambodian government is using state agencies, the media, and the public to systematically fabricate and disseminate fake news that is causing widespread confusion and misunderstanding, Naewna newspaper and Amarin TV said.
Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvari, the Thai Army spokesperson, said the Thai-Cambodian border has become tense again after four Thai soldiers got injured when one of them stepped on a newly-laid landmine at the Huai Ta Maria area of Si Sa Ket province on Monday (Nov. 10) with three more later found nearby.
This was followed by Khmer forces trying to stir up trouble by encroaching on Thai territory in Ban Nong Ya Kaeo area, Sa Kaeo province, forcing Thai troops to respond to protect itself and ensure the safety of the Thai people.
After that Cambodia has launched extensive disinformation campaigns accusing Thailand of opening fire at Cambodian civilians and violating the peace agreement while also demanding the immediate and unconditional release of prisoners of war.
Maj. Gen. Winthai said that Cambodia is portraying itself as a victim of Thai actions by accusing Thailand of firing on Khmer civilians while falsely stating that the Thai soldier has stepped on a landmine that Thais had themselves planted with all these allegations being unsubstantiated.
The Thai army clarified the following issues to ensure correct understanding as follows:
– Regarding the allegation that the Thai soldier had stepped on a self-planted landmine, Thailand has clear evidence from forensic investigation at the scene showing that it was a new mine and three others were also found nearby. Cambodian soldiers had cut the barbed wire fence and crossed over to Thailand before the blast with similar PMN-2 mines having been found in other areas.
– On Khmer troops invading Ban Nong Ya Kaew, Sa Kaeo province, prompting Burapha Task Force to return fire in order to warn and defend itself against the threat, which led to disinformation that Thai troops had fired at Cambodian civilians resulting in injuries and death, Maj. Gen. Winthai confirmed that this was a retaliatory action in accordance with the rules of law and did not target civilians
Cambodia’s claims that its civilians were affected demonstrated that it is using civilians as human shields without regard to potential impact.
– Regarding disinformation on the body of a Cambodian civilian being taken across the border, this person had in fact died from a pre-existing medical condition at a hospital in Bangkok and the deceased’s family had asked Thailand to repatriate his body which was facilitated on humanitarian grounds.
Yet Cambodia used this incident to spread fake news that Thailand is sending back the body of a deceased prisoner of war.
This clearly shows Cambodia’s disregard for human rights and humanitarian principles, shamefully using the lives of its citizens as a channel for creating false news.
CAPTIONS:
This and Front Page – Burapha Task Force together with 1st Humanitarian Mine Action Unit and the 2nd Engineer Battalion has detected seven anti-personnel landmines at Zone C of Ban Nong Chan subdistrict, Khok Sung district, Sa Kaeo province, so far. Photos – Thai Rath
Insert – Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvari. Photo – Amarin TV
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