Sisaket: Military attach©s and diplomats from 23 countries visited Kantharalak District in Sisaket Province today to assess the aftermath of a Cambodian attack in the area. The delegation aimed to witness the situation firsthand and share their observations with the international community. Their first stop was the PTT Ban Phue gas station, which was hit by a BM21 rocket fired from Cambodia.
According to Thai News Agency, Sisaket Governor Anupong Suksomnit briefed the visiting dignitaries on the events of the attack's first day and the ongoing impact on the region. Relatives of those killed in the incident presented photographs of the victims and, with the help of interpreters, recounted their stories to the diplomats, calling for justice for those who lost their lives.
The delegation also inspected the Cham Meng Subdistrict Health Promoting Hospital, where civilian casualties occurred when the building was damaged by gunfire on July 26th. Despite the presence of a child development center with over 30 children, no injuries were reported, as villagers had been evacuated since July 24th. Ms. Khemjira Chanthong, Director of the hospital, emphasized that timely evacuation prevented greater loss of life and described the attack as an act of severe inhumanity.
The attach©s then proceeded to the Kantharalak Technical College evacuation center, where they were briefed by the center's director. Since the attacks commenced on July 24th, 5,147 individuals have registered for evacuation. The center has been providing essential care, including food, shelter, psychological support, and security. Some evacuees have begun returning home.
During interactions with residents at the shelter, children presented woven artifacts to the ambassadors, fostering a warm and friendly atmosphere. Army spokesman Major General Winthai Suvari remarked that the visited sites were civilian areas impacted by Cambodian artillery, breaching international law and affecting human rights. He stressed that the visit aimed to transparently showcase the events to the global community, highlighting Thailand's compliance with international legal standards.
Mr. Rasme Chalichan, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs, who led the diplomatic tour, urged public cooperation in spreading factual information. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs plans to brief the diplomatic community in Thailand and Thai consular officials globally to ensure accurate dissemination of the situation.
Bong Yik Jui, representing the Malaysian Embassy and UNESCAP, expressed sorrow for those affected and called for a resolution to prevent an ongoing crisis. He noted Malaysia's role as a mediator and expressed hope for a ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. An ASEAN monitoring team has been established to oversee the ceasefire and will revisit the area.