Thailand has never initiated aggression against another country and remains committed to peace, but any cease-fire with Cambodia must be genuine and based on direct talks, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said Monday.
Speaking at Government House at 10:05 a.m., Sihasak addressed an upcoming meeting of the General Border Committee scheduled for Tuesday in Chanthaburi province. He said Cambodia has publicly declared it is ready for a cease-fire, a move that has generated international pressure on Thailand to do the same.
“A cease-fire does not happen just by making an announcement.” Sihasak said. “It happens through discussions on concrete measures, and it must be a real cease-fire.”
He said Cambodia’s approach has been to tell the international community it is ready to halt fighting, leading other countries to question why Thailand has not followed suit. Thailand has explained that a cease-fire is important but must be agreed upon by both sides through direct negotiations, he said.
Sihasak added that during recent regional meetings, including ASEAN gatherings, there was no direct pressure on Thailand. Instead, there were calls for both countries to talk to each other directly.
“Cambodia should come and talk with us,” he said. “They should not speak to the world and then have the world come and tell us.”
Asked about comments by Defense Minister Gen. Natthaphon Narkphanit that foreign countries tend to believe Cambodia more than Thailand, Sihasak said Thailand must continue to explain its position clearly.
“If others do not understand us, we must at least understand ourselves,” he said. “We must have a clear stance.”
Sihasak reiterated that Thailand does not initiate aggression and seeks peace, which he defined as a genuine cease-fire. He said Thailand should remain confident in its position and trust that friendly nations will listen and understand.
“We should not be overly concerned,” he said. “We will do our part, remain confident in our stance, and believe in ourselves.”
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