An open letter to the people of Thailand and those watching the current conflict all around the world

The Phnom Penh Post

Opinion

An open letter to the people of Thailand and those watching the current conflict all around the world

To the Thai people,

In the name of the Khmer people, I am personally addressing this letter to admonish you and remind you that your extremist military appear to be ignorant of their own history.

The military leadership neither understand their own history, nor that of the neighbouring Kingdom, Cambodia. They are led by the nose to follow the ambitions of their leaders, whether through committing acts of foul play or by slandering the prestige of Cambodia.

Unfortunately for such leaders — and their unfortunate followers — the world sees their true colours.

Your country claimed to believe in the tenets of Buddhism, every house has Buddha statues and your people worship with incense and candles to pray for help. I even saw Mr. Boonsin Padklang praying before a Buddha shrine on social media.

What did you wish for Mr. Boonsin Padklang?

Buddha will not help you because you are an untruthful man. I forgive you, because you are merely blindly following the orders of your superiors.

To the people of Thailand and Cambodia’s friends in the international community, please consider the following points.

1. Why don't the Thai leaders dare to go to ICJ?

2. Thailand began the aggression — opening fire first, but accusing Cambodia of doing so — but many international news outlets witnessed what really happened.

3. Thai accused Cambodia of firing first, but why didn’t you inform ASEAN, the US, or the UN and then take the case to the ICJ?

4. If the Thai army was only practicing a “balanced self-defence”, why did they use F-16 and Gripen fighter jets to bomb Cambodia territory and employ other heavy weapons?

5. If Cambodian armed forces encroached on Thai territory, why did they use such heavy weapons to encroach on Cambodia territorial integrity?

6. While the Cambodian side called for international help and allowed international observer teams to visit the border area, the Thai side did not. Ask yourself why.

7. Thai people’s fear of Cambodia caused them to meddle in Cambodia's internal affairs, largely because they are afraid of Senate president Hun Sen’s influence.

8. Your leaders are trying many kinds of underhand tricks to pull the wool over the eyes of the Thai public and the international community.

9. In the past, how many provinces did Thailand steal from Cambodia, including Surin, Si Saket and Buriram.

From now on, the Cambodia people are united into one heart, with one goal. Thai people can see for yourselves what happened after you invaded us — Khmer people in Cambodia and those living all around the world came together as one to unite with one heart, especially the young. This made me proud to be Khmer.

Has your country shown such unity? If so, why are protestors gathering in the heart of Bangkok? If you are truly human beings, you should reconsider your actions, study the history of your country and cease your extremist behaviour.

The eyes of the neighbouring nations, and indeed the world, are watching you.

I wish to thank the international community for its support of Cambodia, especially US President Donald Trump, the ASEAN leadership and the members of the bloc.

I hope this letter will be shared by the embassies of the Kingdom of Cambodia and people all around the globe,

Tesh Chanthorn.

Tesh Chanthorn is a concerned Cambodian citizen who wishes for peace, and for the world to know the truth about the recent border clashes. The views and opinions expressed are his own.