Report Cambodia Targets Thai District with Long-Range Artillery

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Picture courtesy of Thai PBS World

 

In a chilling development, the Thai Army announced Cambodia is aiming long-range artillery at Thailand's Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket. Army spokesman Maj-Gen Winthai Suvaree revealed that Cambodia's artillery can strike within Thai borders, prompting necessary adjustments in Thai troop deployment to counteract the threat.

 

The situation has sparked diplomatic concerns, especially after Fair Party MP Kannavee Suebsueng highlighted that Cambodia submitted a document to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), referencing the ongoing border dispute, exactly 63 years after the ICJ allotted the Phra Vihear temple to Cambodia.

 

In his Facebook commentary, Kannavee criticised the Thai government's strategy, claiming Cambodia is diplomatically outpacing Thailand and forcing it into a defensive position.

 

Kannavee accused Cambodia of meticulously planning the timing to coincide with the Joint Border Cooperation (JBC) meeting, indicating Cambodia's superior diplomatic strategy.

 

He urged the Thai government to formulate a robust approach to counter Cambodia's moves instead of continually dismissing the ICJ's jurisdiction, which the Thai government historically refuses to accept, despite the presence of the ICJ’s Asia and Pacific Regional Office in Bangkok.

 

While UN Member States automatically fall under ICJ statutes, meaning any can present a case to the court, jurisdiction acceptance remains a separate hurdle. The conundrum deepens for Thailand as Cambodia seems to seize the initiative on international diplomacy fronts, compelling Thai leadership to reassess its current stance on border disputes.

 

The standoff underscores long-standing regional tensions and highlights the necessity for Thailand to bolster its domestic defence strategy while navigating the complexities of international diplomacy and legal jurisdiction. As the situation unfolds, both nations appear locked in a political game that could define the geopolitical landscape of Southeast Asia.

 

Diplomatic observers await further developments as Thailand and Cambodia continue to navigate this tense period. While the Thai military fortifies its defence, the Thai government faces mounting pressure to adjust its diplomatic approach in addressing the border disputes with more effectiveness and foresight.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Thai PBS World 2025-06-16