Bangkok: Rome urged the government to step up its crackdown on Hun Sen by filing a lawsuit with the International Criminal Court, pointing out that Thailand, even if not a party, could still file a lawsuit. He stated that putting him in jail in the country was not something Cambodia feared. He said that based on the factors, Thailand was not the only one harmed, but that the international call center was also affected. Teng suggested applying pressure through all channels, while Ubon Ratchathani residents asked who caused the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.
According to Thai News Agency, Rangsiman Rome, a party-list MP and deputy leader of the People's Party, addressed the government's criminal case against Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. He stated that if he is found in Thailand, he can be immediately arrested. He stated that pursuing the case through the domestic justice system is not Cambodia's greatest fear, but it must be pursued. He noted that while he has seen affected individuals along the Thai-Cambodian border able to file complaints, villagers simply filing their own complaints is impossible. The government must facilitate such complaints. Furthermore, Cambodia is already a party to the International Criminal Court (ICC), even if Thailand is not a party. Elevating the case to the ICC is possible without ratification. He urged the government to escalate the case, as it provides a guarantee that will ensure the continuation of past border conflicts.
Furthermore, the incident at Aan Ma this morning reflects Cambodia's maturity. However, public concerns are also raised about the potential for more serious conflict than mere verbal confrontations or shoving. This has created uncertainty among people along the border, impacting the economy and education. Some children today have decided not to attend school because they don't know if their families will be prepared to evacuate if an incident occurs. Therefore, if they want to ensure that conflict doesn't escalate, filing a lawsuit with the ICC is feasible. It's not just about seeking legal action against Thailand. But other issues can be raised, such as call centers, which are considered relevant and have clear evidence that Cambodian leaders are involved. Attacks targeting civilians, coupled with the call center problem that has affected every country, I believe can create stability along the border areas and return everything to normal where we can sit down and negotiate like civilized countries that find a solution to move the border.
When asked why Thailand has not filed a lawsuit against Hun Sen at the ICC, Mr. Rangsiman stated that the government likely does not understand the mechanisms of the ICC. He added that Thailand has avoided international proceedings due to a poor experience with the matter and relies on bilateral mechanisms. These mechanisms are crucial and require careful consideration. It is impossible to have others work out the details on our behalf. Cambodia has to acknowledge that it refuses to use bilateral mechanisms. However, if there is a mechanism that could bring negotiations back to bilateralism, it is the ICC. Importantly, we must not forget that if the situation is allowed to escalate, the conflict between a few people in the two countries will escalate into a conflict between Thais and Cambodians. This is something we do not want to happen, as the origin of the conflict was not caused by Thais or Cambodians.
During the interview, a villager asked who caused the conflict. Mr. Rangsiman stated that everyone knows the cause, but according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, it's a government-to-government issue. Therefore, if the conflict doesn't escalate, the issue should be resolved as quickly as possible to restore confidence in investment.
Mr. Natthaphong Ruangpanyawut, leader of the Prachachon Party and leader of the opposition in the House of Representatives, stated that this matter requires the use of existing mechanisms, both domestic and international, in order to address the issue. This cannot be resolved through any single mechanism. Pressure must be applied through all channels.