(Bangkok, Phnom Penh, 3rd) — Thailand has denied abusing Cambodian soldiers in custody and warned against the surge of false information online regarding the Thai-Cambodian border dispute, which is intended to sow panic and misunderstanding.
The Khmer-China Times reported that on August 1st, two Cambodian soldiers repatriated by Thailand were found to be in extremely poor physical and mental condition, with one already disabled and the other suffering from severe psychological trauma and mental disorders, raising suspicions of abuse during their detention.
The Cambodian Human Rights Committee has written to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, strongly condemning Thailand for illegally detaining and abusing Cambodian soldiers, and urged the UN to intervene and investigate. Cambodia has also demanded that Thailand immediately and unconditionally release the remaining 18 Cambodian soldiers.
However, Thai military spokesperson Winthai on Saturday (August 2) denied abusing the Cambodian soldiers, and invited the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the International Red Cross to inspect Thailand. He emphasized that the Cambodian soldiers have been treated humanely and that the Thais will send them back after completing the necessary legal procedures.
According to Thailand's The Nation, Winthai accused the Cambodian side of deliberately distorting the facts to undermine the reputation of the Thai military. He pointed out that although a ceasefire is in place, armed conflict has not truly ended, so under international law, the Thai military has the right to temporarily detain the Cambodian soldiers.
Thailand's Ministry of Digital Economy and Society has also warned about the proliferation of false information on the Internet relating to the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. One such rumor claimed that the Thai army attacked Cambodian soldiers and beheaded them. The Thai government has firmly refuted this and clarified that the photographs used in this disinformation actually depict 12 bodies of Cambodian soldiers transported back to Cambodia by Thailand last week for humanitarian reasons.
Cambodian media reported that the 20 soldiers detained by Thailand were abducted by the Thai military under the pretext of taking a group photo after the Thai-Cambodian ceasefire agreement took effect. Thailand, on the other hand, stated that these Cambodian soldiers voluntarily surrendered following clashes with the Thai military in the border area, with two already killed in action.
The Thai Prime Minister's Deputy Spokesperson further accused Cambodia on Saturday of disgraceful behavior by refusing to receive the remains of the fallen Cambodian soldiers. However, she did not disclose when Cambodia refused reception of the remains.
Following ceasefire talks, the Thai-Cambodian Joint Border Committee is scheduled to meet in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, from August 4 to 7.
Malaysia's Armed Forces Intelligence and Strategic Communications Division issued a statement Saturday saying the meeting aims to resolve the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. "The agenda will include discussions on deploying defense attachés as a provisional team and defining the mandate of the ASEAN monitoring group."
The two countries have agreed to allow China and the United States to attend the meeting on the 7th as observers.
Thai Deputy Defense Minister Nathapol had previously rejected Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Banh's proposal, saying he did not want third-party observers present at the meeting, arguing that it was a bilateral meeting and unlike ceasefire talks that require outside mediation.
However, Thai Public Television reported Saturday that Nathapol has since written to Tea Banh expressing willingness to allow Chinese and US observers to attend the meeting, but only on the final day.
This Thai-Cambodian border conflict has also drawn attention to the Thai military's planned procurement of Swedish Gripen fighter jets.
The Royal Thai Air Force earlier confirmed it deployed F16 fighter jets and Gripen jets to carry out precision airstrikes on Cambodian military targets. Thailand currently has 11 Gripen jets and has announced plans to purchase 12 more.
Some media have reported that Sweden is concerned about Thailand using Gripen jets against Cambodia and has temporarily suspended the sale of jets to Thailand. However, Nathapol has denied this rumor, stating that he has not received official notice from Sweden about a suspension. He believes the arms deal will not be affected as Thailand and Sweden still maintain stable relations.