Bangkok: The Thai Director of the Joint Operations Centre (JIC) has sharply rebutted Cambodia's claims regarding the ongoing border tensions, questioning who initiated the recent hostilities. Air Chief Marshal Praphas Sonjaidee, Assistant Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force and Director of the Thai-Cambodian Situation Information Center, responded to allegations from the Cambodian Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The Cambodian official had accused Thailand of being the aggressor and violating the 2000 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by using heavy weaponry inhumanely.
According to Thai News Agency, Air Chief Marshal Praphas dismissed these accusations, emphasizing the importance of basing serious claims on concrete facts and evidence rather than repeated statements. He urged that any allegations against Thailand must clearly specify the sequence of events, including details such as the location, timing, and initiators of the attacks, supported by verifiable evidence. Praphas argued that selectively recounting Thailand's defensive actions while omitting prior provocations is unacceptable.
The Thai official stressed that Thailand harbors no aggressive intentions towards its neighbors and has been compelled to defend itself following attacks on its forces, including the use of BM-21 rockets impacting Thai civilian areas. He reiterated that Thailand's actions were in self-defense, aimed at protecting its people and sovereignty. He urged Cambodia to revisit the joint statement from December 27, 2025, which focused on de-escalating tensions and maintaining a ceasefire.
Addressing claims of disrespecting the 2000 MOU, Air Chief Marshal Praphas challenged Cambodia to provide evidence. He emphasized that asserting sovereignty or publishing maps based on unilateral interpretations does not confer ownership of contested areas. He called for an end to provocations and media hostilities, advocating for genuine negotiations devoid of hate speech and baseless accusations.
Air Chief Marshal Praphas questioned Cambodia's sincerity in seeking negotiations while simultaneously accusing Thailand of aggression, suggesting that the discussions should focus on resolving the conflict rather than serving as a front for information warfare. He reiterated Thailand's position on maintaining a genuine ceasefire, adhering to agreed troop deployments, and ceasing provocations and misinformation before engaging in sincere negotiations based on evidence and law.
The Thai Director concluded by affirming Thailand's desire for peace, stating, "Thailand does not want war, and does not want anyone's territory. But peace does not mean we must accept accusations that do not reflect the facts. And when the people, personnel, or sovereignty of Thailand are threatened, we have a duty to defend, and we will defend."