Pictures courtesy of CH3.

 

A Dutch national living in Thailand, together with his Thai partner, confronted the Dutch Ambassador to recount their harrowing escape from cross-border shelling during the recent clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces.

 

Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa and Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree led a delegation of diplomats from 33 countries, two international organisations and mine-clearance NGOs to Si Sa Ket Province to inspect areas affected by newly laid Cambodian anti-personnel mines. Members of the Thai and international media also attended.

 

Among those waiting to meet the Dutch envoy was Mrs Phitsamai, accompanied by her partner, Mr Roeg, a Dutch citizen who has lived in Thailand for more than two years. The couple said they survived the opening exchange of fire on 24 July, when Cambodian forces allegedly fired heavy artillery into Kantharalak District, Si Sa Ket Province.

 

Speaking to reporters, Mrs Phitsamai described how she and her partner were forced to flee for their lives.

 

“We had to run from exploding shells, hiding wherever we could. I wanted the ambassador to hear what we experienced first-hand and to know that Dutch citizens living here are also affected by Cambodia’s actions,” she said.

 

 

After the inspection and meetings, the couple briefly spoke to the Dutch Ambassador. Although the exchange was brief, Mrs Phitsamai said the envoy acknowledged them.

 

The visit by foreign envoys forms part of Thailand’s diplomatic effort to highlight Cambodia’s alleged violation of the Ottawa Convention, which bans the use of anti-personnel mines.

 

Related article:

https://aseannow.com/topic/1369985-thailand-accuses-cambodia-of-breaching-ottawa-mine-ban-treaty/

 

 

  Adapted by Asean Now from CH3 2025-08-17

 

 

 

 

 

 

Propaganda, to let the people know how bad Cambodia is.....sadly one direction news.. We all know that Thailand is military much stronger than Cambodia, but they pretend that Cambodia is the aggressor... A child will never challenge a professional kickboxer in a way of speaking 

11 hours ago, Georgealbert said:

Mrs Phitsamai said the envoy acknowledged them.

ok, and????

On 8/17/2025 at 6:03 AM, Georgealbert said:

A Dutch national living in Thailand, together with his Thai partner, confronted the Dutch Ambassador to recount their harrowing escape from cross-border shelling during the recent clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces

Well received I'm sure

On 8/17/2025 at 6:03 AM, Georgealbert said:

I wanted the ambassador to hear what we experienced first-hand and to know that Dutch citizens living here are also affected by Cambodia’s actions,” she said.

So what can the ambassador do about it ?

 

He can say move back to Holland ? 🙄

They just want their 15 minutes of fame. Too many people have been affected by the conflict. Now, go home and be good boys and girls.

2 minutes ago, FlorC said:

So what can the ambassador do about it ?

 

He can say move back to Holland ? 🙄

Absolutely right!

Ohhh no picture of structial damage,ok good story.

23 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

Propaganda, to let the people know how bad Cambodia is.....sadly one direction news.. We all know that Thailand is military much stronger than Cambodia, but they pretend that Cambodia is the aggressor... A child will never challenge a professional kickboxer in a way of speaking 

Cambodia was the aggressor...  The level of their propaganda was off the charts if not so hilariously obvious. Cambodia scored an own goal with this one.

23 hours ago, ikke1959 said:

A child will never challenge a professional kickboxer in a way of speaking 

take a look on you tube.. there are plenty of mouthy wannabe hardmen challenging pro boxers,   the bouts all end the same way. Don't you remember Mike Tyson being driven to give that idiot on the plane a well deserved slap

yet again a small aggressive but  under equipped military bites off more than it can chew  yet gains some sort of "sympathy" from some quarters.     Sound familiar ?

WFC!!!

15 hours ago, Mavideol said:

ok, and????

Another arrogant dutchman does he think he's the only one affected by the conflict ?? If he doen't like it he can go back to where he came from.!!!

1 hour ago, FlorC said:

So what can the ambassador do about it ?

 

He can say move back to Holland ? 🙄

Safer here in Thailand, 

1 hour ago, TheTightArseTraveller said:

Cambodia was the aggressor...  The level of their propaganda was off the charts if not so hilariously obvious. Cambodia scored an own goal with this one.

Sure, you know everything and see the Thai reporting

1 hour ago, TheTightArseTraveller said:

Cambodia was the aggressor...  The level of their propaganda was off the charts if not so hilariously obvious. Cambodia scored an own goal with this one.

Can you prove your comment, and supply the source 

1 minute ago, ujayujay said:

Sure, you know everything and see the Thai reporting

Where do you live.  I live in the conflict zone and had bombs hit less than 3km from me.  

I reckon I may have a bit more local knowledge on the matter.  But just for <deleted>s and giggles, lookup the footage of the Cambodian Army plonker taking the international assembly to show them the "F16 missile" that landed unexploded at the front of a home.  It is comedy gold.

3 minutes ago, Aussie999 said:

Can you prove your comment, and supply the source 

Oh, here we go... "CAn Yooo Pr0vIDe YouRe SaUces???"  

I live in the conflict area.  I know people on both sides and speak to them on a regular (daily) basis.  The Cambodian people don't want this either and hate their leader.

 

Just because proof is not possible, does not make it false.

Once again another article taking someone's unfortunate experience and spinning it into a propaganda to show one side as the aggressor.  No attempt to address the cause of the conflict. Just photos and videos of foreign diplomats and foreign locals shaking hands with Thais in order to give impression that Thailand was in the right. After the bombing has finished, the Dutch ambassador conveniently pops up for a self-serving photo op. 

Allemachtig prachtig! 

1 hour ago, wavodavo said:

Another arrogant dutchman does he think he's the only one affected by the conflict ?? If he doen't like it he can go back to where he came from.!!!

Lots of "arrogant" dutch people living in Thailand.......oops

 

"Confront"......he comes across as eminently calm and quite eloquent. 

4 hours ago, TheTightArseTraveller said:

Cambodia was the aggressor...  The level of their propaganda was off the charts if not so hilariously obvious. Cambodia scored an own goal with this one.

Didn't a senior Thai military officer initially provoke by standing in the middle of the temple singing the Thai national anthem? 

6 hours ago, FlorC said:

So what can the ambassador do about it ?

 

He can say move back to Holland ? 🙄

 

Maybe invite him round for shometing to shmoke ?

On 8/17/2025 at 8:51 AM, ikke1959 said:

Propaganda, to let the people know how bad Cambodia is.....sadly one direction news.. We all know that Thailand is military much stronger than Cambodia, but they pretend that Cambodia is the aggressor... A child will never challenge a professional kickboxer in a way of speaking 

havnt had an answer yet as what bombs were dropped bt Thailand

9 hours ago, FlorC said:

So what can the ambassador do about it ?

 

He can say move back to Holland ? 🙄

No. He's staying here to negotiate the sale of the Embassy.

He could have worn a proper shirt for the occasion; you don't get to "confront" your ambassador every day!

On 8/17/2025 at 5:59 PM, Mavideol said:

ok, and????

Exactly 

22 hours ago, TheTightArseTraveller said:

Oh, here we go... "CAn Yooo Pr0vIDe YouRe SaUces???"  

I live in the conflict area.  I know people on both sides and speak to them on a regular (daily) basis.  The Cambodian people don't want this either and hate their leader.

 

Just because proof is not possible, does not make it false.

So, you answer is "no" you can't provide proof, many live in the conflict zone, that's doesn't mean you know the truth....so again, provide your source.

5 hours ago, Aussie999 said:

So, you answer is "no" you can't provide proof, many live in the conflict zone, that's doesn't mean you know the truth....so again, provide your source.

Do you love your Mum?

On 8/18/2025 at 3:50 PM, BritScot said:

Didn't a senior Thai military officer initially provoke by standing in the middle of the temple singing the Thai national anthem? 

Even if he did (which I do not know if he did or not) are you suggesting that justifies war?  And not just 'war', but war crimes such as burying land mines and bombing civilian targets?