Thailand Accuses Cambodia of Using Citizens as ‘Human Shields’ in Border Dispute
Bangkok condemns alleged incitement of protesters to dismantle security barriers, stressing its adherence to a ceasefire deal and peaceful resolution
- Thailand's Foreign Ministry has accused Cambodia of a "premeditated" effort to escalate a border dispute by using its citizens as "human shields."
- The accusation follows a protest where over 200 Cambodians, allegedly incited by their government, dismantled Thai security barriers and injured officials in a village on Thai-claimed territory.
- Thailand claims the incident was staged so Cambodia could complain to international leaders, calling it an "inhumane" tactic that bypasses established bilateral channels for resolution.
Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused Cambodia of a "premeditated" effort to escalate a border dispute by allegedly inciting its citizens to protest against Thai officials and using them as "human shields."
In a press briefing on Friday, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura stated that Thailand has strictly adhered to the ceasefire agreement signed on 28 July 2025.
He said the protest by over 200 Cambodians on 17 September in Ban Nong Ya Kaeo, a village within Thai territory, was a direct result of Cambodian provocation.
The protest, which saw demonstrators dismantle Thai security barriers and cause injuries to several Thai officials, was deemed a violation of Thai law.
Nikorndej stressed that the security barriers, including barbed wire fences, were installed on Thai sovereign land to prevent clashes and ensure the safety of both nations' citizens.
He defended the actions of Thai riot police, who he said exercised "the utmost restraint" and used "proportional and appropriate measures" to prevent the situation from escalating.
He condemned Cambodia's alleged tactic of using its citizens as "human shields" as "unconstructive" and "inhumane," asserting that it shows a disregard for the safety of its own people.
The spokesperson revealed that Cambodia’s Prime Minister had sent a letter of complaint to international leaders, including the Malaysian Prime Minister, who serves as the ASEAN Chair.
Nikorndej called this a "pre-meditated" act, suggesting it was an attempt to stage a situation and "complain to the international community."
He urged Cambodia to use existing bilateral channels, such as the General Border Committee (GBC) and the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), to resolve the issues.
Nikorndej affirmed Thailand's commitment to resolving the conflict peacefully and expressed hope that upcoming international forums, including the UN General Assembly and ASEAN Summit, would provide opportunities for Cambodia to demonstrate a genuine willingness to seek a peaceful resolution.
