Sihasak urges Cambodia to choose peace over tensions at UN rights council

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said Cambodia has demonised Thailand through false accusations and distorted narratives, despite Thailand’s longstanding good intentions to help, including the provision of refuge to Cambodians fleeing war, humanitarian assistance and reconstruction support following the country’s civil war.

Sihasak was speaking at the High-Level Segment of the 61st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council in Geneva.

“Our intention has never been confrontation, because we understand that our peace is inseparable from Cambodia’s peace. Today, a ceasefire is in place.

This should have marked a turning point towards rebuilding trust and moving forward as good neighbours,” Sihasak said.

Sihasak was responding to remarks made earlier the same day by Cambodia’s deputy prime minister and foreign minister regarding the border situation. He said the recent conflict followed years of encroachments and repeated provocations, including attempts to interfere in Thai domestic politics.

“The reality is that tensions occurred following years of encroachment and repeated provocations, seemingly intended to test Thailand’s restraint and resolve. This even included attempts to interfere in Thailand’s internal politics,” Sihasak said.

He added that bilateral tensions escalated, culminating in indiscriminate attacks and civilian deaths, describing this as a tragic episode in relations between the neighbouring countries.

With a ceasefire now in place, he said both sides should focus on rebuilding trust and moving forward as good neighbours. Instead, he said Cambodia continued to internationalise the issue, thereby undermining prospects for peace.

Sihasak also rejected allegations that Thailand was seizing territory, stating that both sides had negotiated and agreed that troops would remain in their positions at the time of the ceasefire, pending a final resolution through dialogue.

He said provocations by Cambodia are continuing, with Thai soldiers encountering landmines and cross-border gunfire.

While confirming Thailand’s commitment to dialogue, he stressed that the country has a duty to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity at all costs.

The minister concluded by asking Cambodia whether it wishes to choose the path of peace or one of continued tension and conflict.

During his tenure as ambassador and permanent representative of Thailand to the UN in Geneva, Sihasak was elected president of the United Nations Human Rights Council, serving from June 2010 to June 2011.