AKP Phnom Penh, December 27, 2025 --

The major powers, supposedly protectors of global security and world peace, continue, through soothing pronouncements, to equate aggressors and victims, even though there is ample, documented evidence of Thai aggression against a sovereign, peaceful state incapable of any belligerent intent. 

An initial ceasefire, signed on July 28, was immediately violated by Thailand, which promptly captured 20 Cambodian soldiers. Two of them died, and the others remain hostage. In a clear sign of its "respect" for its signature, the Thai army entered Cambodian territory in numerous locations, driving out residents, destroying their homes, and establishing new territorial boundaries with barbed wire and tire barriers. It sent patrols of soldiers into areas notoriously mined since 1964, areas which, on Cambodian territory, have not yet been cleared. This resulted in accidents, which Thailand used as a pretext for further ceasefire violations. For weeks, the Thai authorities, relayed by the press of that country, have continued to develop a grossly false narrative about alleged Cambodian aggressions whose materiality has never been proven since they did not take place.

A second ceasefire, included in a "Joint Declaration" signed on October 26, was also disregarded. The Thai army continued to attempt to seize territory and villages located in Cambodia, ignoring the commitments made by the Thai government in the "Joint Declaration," which was treated as a mere scrap of paper, despite being supported by the five permanent members of the UN Security Council and by ASEAN.

A third betrayal of its own signature occurred on December 7th, when the Thai air force, ground forces, and navy attacked Cambodia along the entire length of the border. Private and public civilian establishments were deliberately targeted: homes, schools, hospitals, and pagodas, resulting in dozens of deaths. Bombs were dropped near camps for displaced people, far from any military installation. Infrastructure vital to Cambodia's economic development was deliberately destroyed. Temples, protected by UNESCO or in the process of being designated, were subjected to precise bombing, with the Ta Krabey temple being completely destroyed. In conquered territory, the Thai army destroyed a monument dedicated to a Hindu deity, a true sign of an army operating in conquered territory. The depth of the Thai attacks increased, with targets struck more than 90 km from the border. Thailand is now waging a full-blown war of aggression.

Despite these acts of war, despite these blatant violations of commitments made, the Thai army, acting with complete impunity, kills the population and destroys the equipment, the property and the World heritage of a neighboring country without any condemnation or sanctions, in total disregard of international law, which is supposed to denounce and punish the aggressor. Is this the new world order? Or is it rather a return to pre-1945 practices? How many more betrayals of its signature by Thailand will it take before the five permanent members of the Security Council abandon their cowardly inaction and stop confusing aggressors with victims?

Raoul M. Jennar
(The views expressed are his own)