Kuala lumpur: The Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, has publicly denied allegations regarding a controversial map issue, assuring the nation that Thailand will not be disadvantaged in the upcoming peace declaration with Cambodia. The Prime Minister emphasized that the disputed 1:200,000 map is inaccurate and reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to peace, while also asserting the country is not afraid to defend itself if necessary.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister addressed the nation in a livestream from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, asserting that positive developments were on the horizon for Thailand, particularly involving the ASEAN summit. He elaborated on the peace declaration with Cambodia, which aims to foster negotiations for sustained peace between the two nations. The declaration, which is not a treaty and thus does not require parliamentary approval, has already been endorsed by the Thai Cabinet.
In his address, the Prime Minister sought to alleviate concerns that the declaration might place Thailand at a disadvantage. He clarified that the declaration includes four key points for Cambodia to address: withdrawal of heavy weapons from the border, explosive ordnance disposal, cooperation to suppress crime and scams, and joint management of overlapping areas to avoid conflicts. He emphasized that these measures would begin with Cambodia's initiative, after which Thailand would evaluate and proceed with further peace efforts.
The Prime Minister categorically denied any notions of surrendering territory or constructing border barriers based on the 1:200,000 map. He affirmed that the declaration would pave the way for peace and stability along the border. He reiterated Thailand's historical stance as a peace-loving nation that is unafraid to defend itself when necessary, urging citizens to trust in the government's efforts to maintain national honor and sovereignty.
Mr. Anutin, drawing on his negotiation experience from the private sector, expressed confidence that the declaration, to be witnessed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia and US President Donald Trump, would not disadvantage Thailand. He highlighted the importance of using modern technology, such as LiDAR, in future border negotiations, dismissing the relevance of the outdated 1:200,000 map.
The Prime Minister called for public support as the signing of the declaration approached, clarifying that the document is a guideline for peace rather than a formal treaty. He assured the public of the diligent efforts made to reach the current stage of negotiations and promised to report any significant developments following the signing.
In conclusion, the Prime Minister expressed his commitment to returning to Thailand for the royal cremation ceremony of Her Majesty Queen Sirikit, the Queen Mother, once the declaration was signed. He conveyed confidence in the eventual success of Thailand's diplomatic efforts and pledged to continue working tirelessly for the benefit of the nation and its people.