On 25 April 2011, Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya gave a press interview upon returning from his visit to the area affected by the recent clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border in Surin Province. 

The Foreign Minister stated that the Cambodian side had not ceased its attacks against Thailand and had not accepted Thailand’s proposal to hold bilateral talks at all levels, which has always been on the table.  In the past whenever clashes occurred along the border, contact would be made to hold negotiations.  However, this time no contact has been made from the Cambodian side, and the Cambodian troops have refused to talk to their Thai counterparts at the local level but have instead continued to fire weapons, including heavy weapons such as mortars and artilleries, into Thailand. 

Foreign Minister Kasit stressed that what is important for Thailand is the safety and welfare of the people living in the border area.  At present, more than 30,000 people in Surin and Buri Ram Provinces have had to be evacuated.  Such a situation could not be allowed to prolong.   It would therefore be necessary for Thailand to review the conduct of its policy towards Cambodia, with the focus being on the safety and well-being of the people.  At the same time, the Foreign Minister also expressed his concern for the Cambodian people, including family members who would normally accompany Cambodian troops, insisting that these individuals should not be forced to face hardship and be used as human shields – an act which amounts to a violation of fundamental human rights.  Involving these women and children in this problem, he said, is an act unbecoming of a civilized nation.

During his visit to Surin Province, Foreign Minister Kasit had met with the army, administrative agencies and local people who wished to return home and live in peace, and that Thailand could not let a similar situation occur along its entire border of nearly 800 kilometres with Cambodia.  In this regard, he would meet General Prawit Wongsuwan, Minister of Defence, to discuss and review Thailand’s policy and position towards Cambodia, noting that thus far, Thailand has tried not to link one issue to another.  Be that as it may, Cambodia’s actions this time were calculated and intentional.  Cambodian troops had made advances in the area several days before the clashes occurred.  Trenches had dug.  And when the Thai side sent in soldiers to negotiate, they were fired upon.  These actions have gone beyond what is to be expected of a friend.  Cambodia has positioned itself as an adversary and has been determined to be confrontational.  ASEAN countries must be informed in this regard, because instead of cooperating to build an ASEAN community, Cambodia through such behaviour and position has created an unnecessary burden for ASEAN and attempted to unduly involve the United Nations – all of which is owing to just a few people in Phnom Penh.

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25 April 2011