Cambodian Minister Claims Thailand Staged O Smach Visit

MGR Online•International•10d ago

Reader Briefing

Cambodia's Minister of Information questions the authenticity of a Thai-led visit to O Smach by ASEAN observers and journalists.

•Neth Pheaktra questioned if ASEAN observers saw the truth or a staged presentation during a visit to O Smach.
•Phnom Penh filed a formal protest on September 8 alleging Thai military activity in Cambodian sovereign territory.
•Colonel Roderick T. Garcia of the Philippines reported a discrepancy between his observations and prior information.
•Neth Pheaktra argued that images of alleged scam bases and fake police stations do not prove accusations against Cambodia.

•Phnom Penh filed a formal protest on September 8, alleging the Thai military violated Cambodia's territorial integrity.
•Neth Pheaktra questioned whether ASEAN observers and journalists visiting O Smach this week saw the actual truth or a carefully managed presentation by Thailand.
•The reaction follows statements from Colonel Roderick T. Garcia, an ASEAN observer, who noted conflicts between his findings at Chong Chom-O Smach and previously received data.
•Neth Pheaktra asserted that images of alleged scam bases, fake police stations, or hospitals cannot independently prove accusations against Cambodia.
•Neth Pheaktra argued that online crime allegations should be resolved through law enforcement rather than military occupation.
•Neth Pheaktra questioned Thailand's claim of having no intention to occupy the area by asking why Thailand mentioned withdrawing forces if no occupation existed.
•Neth Pheaktra challenged the independence of the visit, questioning who controlled the area, defined the route, and selected the sites shown.

Full article content is available on the original source.

Neth Pheaktra

"The important question is, did the visitors see the truth, or only what they were permitted to see?"

คำถามสำคัญคือ ผู้มาเยือนได้เห็นความจริงหรือไม่ หรือเห็นเพียงสิ่งที่พวกเขาได้รับอนุญาตให้เห็น?

Neth Pheaktra

"If there is no occupation, then why talk about withdrawing forces?"

ถ้าไม่มีการยึดครอง แล้วทำไมถึงพูดว่าถอนกำลัง?

Neth Pheaktra

"Places can be controlled, visits can be organized, scenes can be staged, but the truth cannot be forced to follow a script."

สถานที่สามารถควบคุมได้ การเยี่ยมชมสามารถจัดขึ้นได้ ฉากสามารถจัดขึ้นได้ แต่ความจริงไม่สามารถบังคับให้เป็นไปตามบทได้

Neth Pheaktra(เนธ เพียกตรา)

The Minister of Information of Cambodia.

Roderick T. Garcia(โรเดริก ที การ์เซีย)

A Colonel and Philippine military attaché serving as an ASEAN observer.

Phnom Penh(พนมเปญ)ℹ️

The capital of Cambodia that filed a formal protest against Thailand.

O Smach(โอร์เสม็ด)ℹ️

An area visited by ASEAN observers and journalists where scam bases were allegedly seen.

Chong Chom(ช่องจอม)

A border area between Thailand and Cambodia visited by Colonel Roderick T. Garcia.

Thailand(ไทย)ℹ️

The country accused by Cambodia of staging a visit and conducting military activities in sovereign Cambodian territory.

Cambodia(กัมพูชา)ℹ️

The country that filed a formal protest against Thai military activities.

ASEAN(อาเซียน)ℹ️

The regional organization whose observers visited the Thai-Cambodian border.

AOT

An entity mentioned in the title as having descended into the O Smach area.