Army says Cambodia aiming artillery at Thailand is a national security threat

The Thai Army has announced that Cambodia’s deployment of troops and the aiming of its long-range artillery at Thailand’s Kantharalak district, in the north-eastern province of Si Sa Ket, poses a national security threat to Thailand.

Army spokesman Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree said yesterday that the Cambodian artillery is capable of firing into Thai territory and, as such, it is necessary for the Thai army to adjust its troop deployments to counter the threat.

Meanwhile, Fair party MP Kannavee Suebsueng said today that Cambodia’s submission of a document, referring the border dispute with Thailand to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) today, exactly 63 years since the ICJ awarded the Phra Vihear ancient temple to Cambodia, is a calculated move in an attempt to shame Thailand.

In his Facebook post today, Kannavee said that Cambodia is several steps ahead of Thailand in its diplomatic manoeuvring and asked what plans the government has to address the border disputes.

“The timing is perfect, which coincides with the JBC meeting today. It (Cambodia) has taught Thailand lesson, that it is ahead, despite the Thai government declaring that it will never accept the jurisdiction of the ICJ,” said Kannavee.

Cambodia is tricky and smarter in international diplomacy, said the opposition MP, adding that Cambodia has seized the opportunity to act first, while the Thai government is weak.

He said it is about time for Thailand to get tough with Cambodia.

While Member States of the UN are automatically parties to ICJ statutes (meaning they can bring a case before the court), this doesn’t necessarily mean that the ICJ has jurisdiction over them. Ironically, though, the ICJ’s Asia and Pacific Regional Office is based in Bangkok.