Bangkok: Suradej Yasawat, Deputy Leader of the Palang Pracharath Party, has recommended that Thailand submit new evidence to the United Nations to counter Cambodia's claims of overlapping territory. He insists that there is no overlap, only conflicts of interest, and urges the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to act decisively to avoid tacit acceptance of Cambodia's assertions.
According to Thai News Agency, Suradej emphasized the importance of Thailand's response to the border issue, echoing General Prawit Wongsuwan's views. Suradej asserts that there are no overlapping areas along the Thai-Cambodian border, including underwater zones. He acknowledges that different methods and maps have been used in the past, leading to misunderstandings about overlapping interests rather than territories.
Suradej expressed concern over past Cambodian attempts to claim overlapping areas and questioned the Cambodian military's provocations, such as singing their national anthem at Ta Muen Thom Temple. He suggests that these actions may have been premeditated attempts to test Thailand's resolve in protecting its sovereignty, which led to disputes and an eventual shooting incident.
Suradej connects the border issue to potential overlapping interests in underwater resources like oil and gas, suggesting that foreign investors might be interested in these benefits. He recalls former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra's remarks about sharing benefits if overlaps exist, leading him to question Cambodia's intentions.
He also notes that previous border agreements with Vietnam, based on a 1/50,000 map, did not face similar issues. Suradej questions why Cambodia does not use the same map, arguing that doing so would eliminate overlapping land disputes. He warns that yielding to Cambodia could result in losing underwater resources, which are crucial for Thailand's development and debt repayment.
Suradej criticizes the involvement of other countries, like Malaysia, in the matter, emphasizing that it should remain a bilateral issue between Thailand and Cambodia. He expresses concern over Thailand's public debt and stresses the importance of resolving the border issue to secure resources for national development.
Finally, Suradej calls on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to firmly reject Cambodia's claims by presenting new evidence to the UN. He emphasizes the need for Thailand to assert its position and avoid any perceptions of acquiescence due to the current government's weakness. Suradej believes that providing the UN with documentation confirming the absence of overlapping areas is crucial for protecting Thailand's interests.