Bangkok: The Prime Minister emphasized the irreplaceable value of soldiers’ lives over the significance of a statue, following India’s condemnation of Thailand’s destruction of a monument. He called for patience as the results of the General Border Committee (GBC) agreement are awaited, expressing hope that Cambodia will honor its commitments in any new agreement to prevent future issues. He stressed that actions are more meaningful than words, noting Thailand’s response was a retaliation to an attack.
According to Thai News Agency, Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Anutin Charnvirakul, addressing the Thai-Cambodian border situation following the GBC secretariat meeting in Chanthaburi province, advised patience, noting that there are still three more days of discussions. He described the initial meeting as merely an introductory session, while media coverage focused on a brief half-hour session where participants appeared expressionless. He noted that constant laughter was unrealistic.
When questioned about potential Cambodian security concerns prompting the meeting, the Prime Minister dismissed such notions. He highlighted the positive attitudes from both sides and reiterated Thailand’s stance on not holding discussions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in line with the National Security Council’s (NSC) bilateral resolution. He stated that unless urgently needed, discussions will strictly adhere to bilateral procedures between Thailand and Cambodia.
Regarding the meeting’s expected outcomes, the Prime Minister advised waiting for official results. He mentioned prior knowledge of the meeting’s framework and proposals from Thai representatives, but emphasized that negotiation tactics would be determined in real-time.
Addressing India’s criticism over the removal of Hindu statues in Chong An Ma, particularly those of Vishnu, the Prime Minister acknowledged lacking a report on the issue. He stated that it remains a bilateral negotiation matter and urged adherence to the NSC’s bilateral framework, cautioning against external influences.
On the statue issue, the Prime Minister reiterated that the loss of soldiers should take precedence over the damage to the statue. “Comparing the damaged statue to every leg our soldiers lost, and comparing it to blasphemy, I wouldn’t make such a comparison,” he asserted.
When asked about a Cambodian Ministry of Defence letter wishing to negotiate a ceasefire via the GBC mechanism, which was clarified as not a ceasefire request, the Prime Minister clarified that actions were retaliatory, not based on formal requests, and aligned with retaliation rules. Discussions on GBC negotiations are set to continue.
The Prime Minister concluded by stating that any agreement reached must be respected by the established committee from both sides. He expressed optimism that signing an agreement would lead to Cambodia honoring its promises, avoiding further complications.