Bangkok: Noppadon Pattama, a party-list MP for the Pheu Thai Party and former Minister of Foreign Affairs, has proposed a series of strategies to address the ongoing Thai-Cambodian conflict, emphasizing the importance of swift diplomacy and reinforcing Thailand's position on the international stage.
According to Thai News Agency, Mr. Noppadon outlined five main approaches to resolve tensions following the recent ceasefire between the two nations. First, he stressed the need for concise and rapid diplomatic communication, highlighting the importance of presenting Thailand's international legal positions more effectively than Cambodia. He believes that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has the capability to achieve this.
Secondly, Mr. Noppadon emphasized the importance of building legitimacy for Thailand globally. As a medium-sized superpower, Thailand must prioritize international law and legitimacy, moving away from the notion that power alone dictates outcomes.
In his third point, Mr. Noppadon called for a continuous effort to reinforce Thailand's legitimacy, particularly in five key areas. These include peaceful resolution through bilateral negotiations under the 2000 MOU, Cambodia's failure to meet its obligations, violations of international agreements such as the Ottawa Convention and the United Nations Charter by Cambodia, Thailand's right to self-defense, and Cambodia's targeting of civilian areas, breaching the Geneva Conventions and the ceasefire agreement.
His fourth approach involves demanding sincerity and good faith from Cambodia in bilateral negotiations, whether at the GBC, JBC, or other forums. Mr. Noppadon stressed that successful negotiation requires a genuine commitment from both parties.
Lastly, he suggested that the Thai government should improve its communication strategy, ensuring speed and consistency in information dissemination. He also urged the Anti-Fake News Center to enhance its operations to counter misinformation effectively.
Mr. Noppadon concluded by expressing confidence in the military's capability to protect sovereignty and the potential for Thai diplomacy to maintain its international legitimacy. He emphasized the importance of timely communication and factual information dissemination to resolve the issue positively, offering his support to officials and the government in their efforts.