The diplomatic confrontation broke out when Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn accused Thailand of enforcing the relocation of Cambodian civilians, threatening to apply Thai law within Cambodia and using force instead of agreed mechanisms to resolve border disputes.
In his speech, Mr. Sokhonn criticized neighboring countries for relying on unilateral maps rather than international maps established by binding treaties, actions that he said undermined efforts to build trust and peace.
In response, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow expressed his disappointment that Cambodia continued to consider itself a victim and accused the country of distorting the truth.
Mr. Phuangketkeow also gave evidence of Thai soldiers losing their feet due to mines, children being hit by firecrackers while studying, and civilians being attacked by Cambodian fireworks at a grocery store, asserting that they were the "real victims".
Foreign Minister Phuangketkeow said that the villages mentioned by Cambodia are located in Thai territory, which was formed when Thailand opened the border in the late 1970s to welcome hundreds of thousands of Cambodian people fleeing civil war.
Thailand's foreign minister also accused Cambodia of continuous province's province of province of province of province of province of province of province of province of province of province, including mobilizing civilians into Thai territory and firing at locations in Thailand.
He also cited incidents since September 23, when Cambodian soldiers opened fire on Thai forces along the border, the latest of which occurred on the day he spoke.
Cambodia has released another version. Foreign Minister Sokhonn cited the "unreasonable attack" on Cambodian forces in the An Ses region on September 27, denying the accusation that Cambodian soldiers stirred up the conflict, asserting that they "never fired first, nor responded to the province".
Despite using harsh words, Thailand still affirmed that "although always on the side of peace", it will "resolutely protect sovereignty and territorial integrity", and called on Cambodia to resolve disagreements through peaceful dialogue and existing mechanisms.
