Full Statement: Thai Ambassador’s Address to the UNSC
Here is the official word-for-word statement delivered by H.E. Mr. Cherdchai Chaivaivid, Permanent Representative of Thailand to the United Nations, during the closed-door session of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), held under the agenda item “Threats to International Peace and Security.”
The meeting took place on 25 July 2025 at the Security Council Chamber, United Nations Headquarters in New York City, USA.
His remarks are as follows:
Mr. President,
I would like to express our appreciation for you for convening this meeting and to thank Assistant Secretary-General Khiari for his kind briefing.
Mr. President,
It has always been my privilege and honour to address the Security Council. Yet, with profound regret, today I am compelled to speak under the gravest of circumstances – as Cambodia’s unprovoked act of aggression threatens the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and, very importantly, innocent civilian lives of Thailand, a nation committed to peace, as we all in this room know very well.
Let me set the record straight. Thailand has always considered Cambodia as our close neighbour and a close member of the ASEAN family. Since Cambodia’s independence in 1953, Thailand has spared no effort in supporting its peace process, nation-building and development through the Paris Agreements in 1991 and Cambodia’s membership in ASEAN in 1999. For decades, our two nations collaborated in good faith for the mutual benefits of our peoples.
But as in cases of any next-door neighbours, Thailand and Cambodia have had a fair share of challenges and disagreements – and it is precisely in such moments that dialogue, not violence, must prevail. That is why we are here today in this very chamber.
Mr. President,
On May 28, a minor skirmish took place on the border between Thailand and Cambodia. At the time, Thai troops were conducting routine patrols in established routes within Thailand’s territory. In response to the unprovoked firing by Cambodian troops inside Thai territory, Thai forces were compelled to take proportionate and appropriate measures in self-defence, consistent with international law. Thailand always believes that bilateral channel is the most effective means to address such incident. And we had sought for a Joint Boundary Commission meeting, as mentioned by the briefer, to discuss the issue with Cambodia, which, indeed, took place on June 14 in Phnom Penh.
Despite the ongoing efforts, on July 16 and 23, Thai army personnel stepped on landmines, while conducting routine patrols within – again – Thailand’s territory. As a result, two soldiers sustained severe injuries, leading to permanent disability, while the rest were seriously injured. Evidence confirms that the landmines were newly planted in the previously demined zones. You may appreciate the fact that Thailand had fully destroyed all anti-personnel mines, including those retained for research and training purposes, since 2019. In contrast, according to its very own annual transparency report, as of December of last year, Cambodia continued to retain this type of mines. This is a blatant violation of international law, the Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention – also known as the Ottawa Convention – to which Thailand and Cambodia are States Parties, contravening the spirit of the Siem Reap–Angkor Declaration adopted in November 2024.
In light of this grave situation, Thailand submitted two letters to the President-Designate of the 22nd Meeting of States Parties to the Convention, providing details of the incidents and condemning these acts in the strongest terms as a deliberate violation of our sovereignty and territorial integrity. Furthermore, Thailand has submitted a letter to the UN Secretary-General to request for clarification from the Government of Cambodia pursuant to Article 8, paragraph 2, of that Convention.
Then, yesterday, July 24, at 08.20 am, Cambodian troops with heavy artillery opened fire into a Thai military outpost in Ta Muen Thom, Surin Province. Shortly after, Cambodian troops launched indiscriminate attacks on Thai territory across four provinces of Buriram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani. This act of aggression, unlawful and indiscriminate – and let me stress the word INDISCRIMINATE – armed attacks have caused serious harms and sufferings to innocent civilians. Four children were killed, and four others were severely injured. Civilian infrastructure, including a hospital and a school, also sustained significant damage. As of July 25, at 09.00 am in the morning, the attacks resulted in 14 deaths and 19 injuries – 13 of which are in critical condition. Allow me to repeat the words: “don’t look away.”
[Showing pictures of civilian casualties]
Just 24 hours ago, a hospital, gas station, and civilian homes suffered attacks. One family of four, who were grocery shopping, went into this grocery store. Three of them, the mother and three children, never came out alive. Don’t look away. More than 130,000 residents have been evacuated from their homes.
In this regard, Thailand condemns in the strongest possible terms Cambodia’s indiscriminate and inhumane attacks on civilians, civilian infrastructure, and public facilities, particularly hospitals – which violates the Geneva Conventions of 1949, in specific Article 19 of the First Geneva Convention and Article 18 of the Fourth Geneva Convention.
Mr. President,
This series of unprovoked and premeditated acts of aggression and armed attacks by the Cambodian armed forces also constitutes a grave violation of Article 2, paragraph 4 of the UN Charter, which as we know, prohibits the use of force against the territorial integrity of states, as well as the principles of good neighbourliness, peaceful coexistence and ASEAN solidarity.
Despite exercising utmost restraint, Thailand is now compelled to act in self-defence under Article 51 of the UN Charter. Our response, and let me reiterate, is strictly limited in scope, proportionate and targeted solely at neutralising the imminent danger posed by the Cambodian armed forces. All measures are directed at legitimate military targets, with every effort made to avoid civilian harm.
Thailand’s position is clear and consistent: we uphold the principles of non-interference in the internal affairs of States, and we reaffirm our full respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity – principles that form the very bedrock of international order and regional stability.
As a peace-loving nation, Mr. President, Thailand categorically rejects the use of force as a means to resolve international disputes, while remaining firmly committed to the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter. In this spirit, Thailand has actively engaged Cambodia over the past two months through multiple bilateral mechanisms, including the aforementioned Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), with the objective of resolving differences and preventing further escalation. Members of the Council, it is therefore deeply regrettable that Cambodia has deliberately avoided meaningful dialogue and instead sought to internationalise the issue to serve its own political objectives.
On the accusation of damaging the surrounding area and the structures of the Phra Viharn Temple, allow me to reiterate that Thailand has exercised its inherent right of self-defence in accordance with international law, based on the principles of distinction, proportionality, precaution, and military necessity. All responsive actions were strictly, once again, limited to legitimate military targets.
None of the exchanges of fire between Thai and Cambodian Armed Forces took place anywhere near the Phra Viharn Temple. The closest sites of attacks are located around Phu Ma Khua, situated approximately 2 kilometers away from the Phra Viharn Temple. The Temple itself lies entirely outside the trajectory of any Thai military operations. It is impossible that bullets or shrapnel from gunfire exchanges at Phu Ma Khua would reach or cause significant damage to the Phra Viharn Temple.
The said Statement is therefore baseless, regrettable and profoundly disappointing. It constitutes nothing more than a dissemination of disinformation. Thailand calls upon Cambodia to refrain from disseminating false or misleading information that politicises or misrepresents cultural heritage. We therefore and sincerely hope that Cambodia would act in good faith and uphold its international obligations to ensure the protection of cultural heritage.
On cluster munitions, Thailand wishes to reaffirm that its military actions follow the principle of distinction, proportionality, and military necessity. The cluster munitions are used exclusively to target military objectives.
Mr. President,
Thailand urges Cambodia to immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith.
I thank you.
อ้างอิง :
- Permanent Mission of Thailand to the United Nations
