Opinion: Thailand’s untenable position on the landmine issue

Opinion: Thailand’s untenable position on the landmine issue

The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs has once again positioned itself as the weakest link in a Thai government that lacks a legitimate ruler.

Thailand is currently ruled by a de facto outsider politician, Thaksin Shinawatra. Despite having multiple lawsuits and no official title, he is in charge of Thai government affairs, from dealing with Cambodian Senate President Samdech Techo Hun Sen to closure of border with Cambodia and even the Thai tariff issues with the United States.

Thais and foreigners alike are undoubtedly beginning to wonder since when the Thai government began taking instructions from unelected civilians.

What is most bizarre to international observers is that Thailand has filed a complaint against Cambodia, a recognized defender of the Ottawa Convention (or the Convention on the Prohibition of the Use, Stockpiling, Production and Transfer of Anti-Personnel Mines and on Their Destruction), for a possible violation of the Convention.

It is inconceivable that the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs could stage a diplomatic spectacle instigated by an overconfident and overzealous military commander who has no knowledge of international law, and lacks common sense and sensible consideration towards the people living on both sides of the border.

Let’s consider the following :

If Thailand believes that the landmine was on Thai territory and the Thai military had been conducting careful patrols to protect sovereign territory, then it would mean that the “Cambodian military must have mastered invisible ninja magic” to be able to plant more landmines, not just one, on Thai territory.

If Thailand believes that the landmine was on Thai territory, why did it take Thailand a few days to determine whether the landmines were new or old? The fact is, it is inconceivable to actually determine whether the landmines were newly laid or old unless people check the recorded numbers and compare them with the stockpiles.

If Thailand believes that the mines were on Thai territory and Thai troops were conducting regular patrols along the established routes, how could Thai soldiers have stepped on them when previous soldiers had not?

Common sense would dictate that Thailand’s accusations are illogical and could have a negative impact on its own position and international image.

The international community might read Thailand’s claims but they may choose to remain silent, unsure how to comment on Thailand’s flimsy arguments.

If we conduct the debate on the basis of international law, an internationally recognized border map is necessary to determine whether the explosion site is located on Thai or Cambodian territory.

It is therefore all the more urgent and justified for Thailand to refer the matter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to protect the territory and the lives of its soldiers.

The Cambodia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has made clear that the landmine explosion took place inside Techo Morakot Village in Choam Ksan district—territory well within Cambodia’s internationally recognised border that are defined by maps established by the Franco-Siamese Mixed Commission under the 1904 Convention and 1907 Treaty—documents acknowledged by both nations and previously referenced by the ICJ in its 1962 and 2013 rulings concerning the Temple of Preah Vihear.

As long as Thailand believes this territory belongs to it, it has no reason to fear the ICJ.

As eternal neighbour, the Cambodian government has made it clear that it will respect the ICJ’s ruling to ensure that the conflict, which often escalates into violent clashes, is finally and permanently resolved for future generations of Cambodia and Thailand.

The two countries should proceed to the ICJ to ensure eternal peace between the eternal neighbours, instead of relying on emotional accusations manipulated by extremists and unelected politicians who have no legitimacy to control over the government, including the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The author is a Phnom Penh-based geopolitical and security analyst. The views and opinions expressed here are the author’s own.

Source: Khmer Times