Thailand JIC urges global review of border conflict timeline

Air Vice Marshal Prapas Sonjaidee, Director of the Thailand-Cambodia Joint Information Center (JIC), has called on the international community to review the full timeline of recent border clashes. He emphasized that the global community should not judge the situation based solely on the dates Thailand responded with force, asserting that “Cambodia fired first.”

According to the JIC, evidence indicates that Cambodian forces initiated hostilities through provocations and the use of BM-21 rockets, which caused damage to Thai civilians and property. Thailand maintains that its military response was a necessary act of self-defense intended to protect sovereignty and halt threats, rather than an attempt to seize territory. The JIC stated that all actions were conducted in accordance with international humanitarian law, focusing on proportional force and minimizing civilian impact.

Thailand expressed a desire to avoid conflict and move toward sustainable peace through bilateral mechanisms, specifically the Joint Boundary Commission. However, officials noted that effective field surveys and negotiations can only proceed once the border area is safe, requiring a reduction in provocations and respect for ceasefire agreements.