By Amarin TV and Reuters – published by CNA
DEPUTY Prime Minister-cum-Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow blasted Cambodia after delivering an opening statement at UN-backed Permanent Court of Arbitration in Singapore over long-standing dispute with the neighbouring country over valuable maritime resources for continuing to distort the truth and repeatedly maligning Thailand by presenting falsehoods.
Phnom Penh initiated a United Nations-backed conciliation process at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) after Bangkok pulled out of an agreement to work towards joint offshore energy exploitation in the Gulf of Thailand.
The 2001 memorandum of understanding covers a vast and resource-rich territory of around 27,000 sq km to which both Cambodia and Thailand lay claim.
Bangkok in May unilaterally pulled out of the framework agreement, called “MoU 44”, saying that “no progress had been made” in implementing it.
While emphasising that Thai-Cambodian relations are of critical importance, Sihasak said there are distinct differences between the approaches Thailand and Cambodia have chosen to manage this issue.
Thailand has consistently maintained the belief that differences between neighbours should be resolved through dialogue. The guiding principle Thailand has always upheld is the preservation of communication channels and the restoration of mutual trust thus seeking a sustainable solution through bilateral negotiations.
Cambodia, however, has adopted a different approach; it frequently claims to respect international law while portraying Thailand as failing to do so. Yet, these claims by Cambodia are self-serving. One must consider the events that precipitated last year’s conflict — such as Cambodia deliberately leaking the telephone conversation between the two nations’ leaders, its rockets endangering innocent civilians, and Thai soldiers having lost their legs to landmines planted by Cambodian forces, he pointed out.
“Where was the respect for international law during those times?” he asked.
“I had previously met with Mr. Prak Sokhonn, Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, in New York last May. During that meeting, I proposed practical measures to build confidence and enable us to move forward with assurance regarding the issues on which we hold differing views.
“Unfortunately, Cambodia has rarely given a genuine chance to this approach. From Thailand’s perspective, this reflects a concerning and persistent pattern of behaviour on Cambodia’s part — one that eschews full and sincere bilateral engagement.
“Instead, Cambodia repeatedly maligns Thailand by presenting falsehoods, distorting facts, and making baseless accusations — almost daily, including on international platforms. Cambodia casts itself as the aggrieved party, driven by a sense of moral superiority and a desire to project an image of legitimacy. It is undeniable that domestic politics influence this behaviour,” he added.
CAPTION:
Top and Front Page: Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, left, giving an opening statement to a five-member conciliation panel of international law experts at the world’s oldest arbitration court’s offices in Singapore. Photo – Amarin TV
Also read:
People’s to press misconduct, duty-negligence charges against election commissioners
No Bhumjaithai suspects found guilty by election commissioners over senatorial rigging conspiracy
Navy’s frigate project might hit snag due to domestic industry’s appeal
Energy protesters contront PM at Gastech exhibition
People’s leader joins ‘Indict the 229 Senators’ campaign
Sarcasm launched on House floor over hush-hush ties between election commissioners. Newin
Several among 22 Bhumjaithai figures might be sued in Supreme Court over senatorial rigging plot
Election Commissioners might be sued in Constitutional Court over senatorial rigging conspiracy
Pheu Thai MPs tipped to abstain from voting for PM after censure debate
25 years later, WoT has the “War on Terror” achieved?
