Bangkok: The Thai Senate has summoned ambassadors from 12 countries to clarify the cancellation of the 2000-2001 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and present evidence regarding the Thai-Cambodian border, refuting distorted information. Senator Noppadol, chairman of the committee, expressed confidence in the security forces' ability to handle the situation, following reports of Cambodian soldiers constructing high bunkers along the Sa Kaeo border.
According to Thai News Agency, Senator Noppadol Inna, chairman of the Senate's ad hoc committee studying the advantages and disadvantages of canceling the 2000 and 2001 MOUs to resolve the Thai-Cambodian border issue, explained that the committee and its foreign affairs advisors consider these MOUs of national importance, particularly regarding security. After presenting its findings to the Senate on May 18th, some information disseminated internationally was deemed inaccurate, prompting the Senate to invite ambassadors from ASEAN member states (excluding Cambodia) and three major powers - China, Japan, and South Korea - to a briefing session. All invited countries accepted the invitation.
Mr. Nopadol stated that the purpose of this clarification was to explain the committee's unanimous proposal to cancel both MOUs, detailing the origins and development of these agreements and the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border over the past 25-26 years, which has led to several clashes.
Furthermore, a case study will be presented of the Ban Nong Chan area in Sa Kaeo Province, where Thailand provided assistance to hundreds of thousands of Cambodian refugees over 40 years ago. The information and evidence presented will be verified by international organizations such as the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Thai Red Cross Society. It will be emphasized that the information presented will be unbiased, with images and data coming from fieldwork conducted by the Commission in seven border provinces.
Regarding the role of the Cambodian Senate, with Prime Minister Hun Sen controlling information and communication from the Cambodian side, Mr. Noppadol stated that the President of the Thai Senate has appointed a working group on international affairs to drive the policy of "proactive parliamentary diplomacy" in line with the guidelines of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). Over the next 4-5 years, the Thai Senate will focus on a proactive parliamentary role to clarify facts to the international community if there is inaccurate information about Thailand.
Addressing news reports about Cambodia constructing bunkers closer to the border, Mr. Noppadol stated that the committee has inspected several locations and remains confident in the performance of the security forces, who are prepared with strategies to manage the border area and protect the country's sovereignty.
Mr. Nopadol also mentioned that this invitation to the ambassador marks the beginning of cooperation within the "ASEAN Plus Three" framework. This initiative stemmed from his participation in the Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in Turkey, where he was elected chair of ASEAN Plus Three. He stressed the importance of building understanding with neighboring countries to ensure accurate information sharing within diplomatic circles. In the future, ambassadors from the European Union might be invited to receive further information, particularly in his capacity as chair of the Thai-Czech Republic Parliamentary Friendship Group.
In conclusion, Mr. Noppadol thanked the media and requested their cooperation in cautiously presenting information to protect the national interest, emphasizing the importance of communicating accurate facts to counter distorted information from the Cambodian side.