Bangkok denounces Cambodian senator’s appeal to Thai royal family

Thailand’s Foreign Ministry has condemned Cambodia over the publication of an open letter by a Cambodian senator, in which he calls for a member of the Thai Royal Family to intervene in the conflict between the two countries, describing the content as highly inappropriate and unacceptable.

Nikorndej Balankura, Thailand’s Ambassador to Paris, said the ministry said it has lodged a formal protest with the Cambodian government and issued a rebuttal to the Cambodian media outlets involved.

It reiterated that both Thailand and Cambodia are constitutional democracies, with the King as Head of State who stands above politics.

The ministry noted that senior Cambodian officials, particularly at the senatorial level, should be fully aware of this principle, making it wholly inappropriate to involve the Thai monarchy in matters related to intergovernmental relations.

The Foreign Ministry said the open letter, by Senator Ngy Chanphal, constitutes another example of Cambodia’s interference in Thailand’s internal affairs, which it claimed violates basic diplomatic norms, the ASEAN Charter and the joint statement signed between the two countries, particularly Article 6.

Ngy Chanphal’s open letter, published in the Phnom Penh Post on January 19, was addressed to HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn, requesting her intervention to help mediate the border conflict.

The senator claimed that, between December 7 and 27 last year, Thai armed forces conducted coordinated military operations across multiple sectors of the internationally recognised boundary, resulting in incursions into Cambodian territory and the establishment of effective control over areas that he said lie unequivocally within Cambodia.

He further alleged that heavy weaponry, including fighter aircraft, long-range artillery and unmanned aerial systems, were used during the operations, causing extensive damage to civilian communities, schools, health centres, pagodas and agricultural land.

According to the letter, several sacred and irreplaceable cultural heritage sites were damaged, including the Preah Vihear Temple, Ta Krabei, Ta Mone Thom and Ta Mone Touch.

The Thai Foreign Ministry called on Cambodia to ensure that senior government and parliamentary officials exercise restraint, refrain from issuing provocative statements and demonstrate sincerity and good faith.