Paris: Sihasak Phuangketkaew, Thailand's Foreign Minister, has accused Cambodia of consistently fabricating stories to escalate tensions between the two nations, particularly concerning the long-standing dispute over the Preah Vihear temple. He insists that UNESCO understands Thailand's position and acknowledges the unfair burden placed on Thailand due to these conflicts.
According to Thai News Agency, during a diplomatic mission in Paris, Minister Sihasak expressed profound concern over the continuous spread of misleading information by Cambodian officials on international platforms. He highlighted that allegations of Thai territorial occupation were unfounded and merely strategic fabrications aimed at pressuring Thailand. These actions, he noted, damage trust and pose significant obstacles to the restoration of bilateral relations.
Addressing the Preah Vihear Temple World Heritage issue, Sihasak revealed discussions with UNESCO's Director-General, affirming Thailand's commitment to safeguarding the temple while dismissing any intent of harm. The conflict, he argued, arose from Cambodia's inappropriate use of the World Heritage site for military purposes, contravening international principles. UNESCO, he added, recognizes the complexities of the situation and is planning to dispatch a team to thoroughly assess the reported damages.
Moreover, the Foreign Minister countered Cambodian claims that Thailand intentionally burned forests to displace people, describing it as a tactic to tarnish Thailand's image despite open dialogue channels. He cautioned Cambodia that the international community is now cognizant of such behaviors, which could backfire on Cambodia itself. Sihasak plans to use his visit as an opportunity to present these facts to the French Foreign Minister, underscoring Thailand's commitment to peace and transparency.