GENEVA – Thailand has issued a strong rebuttal to Cambodia’s latest allegations regarding border tensions, accusing its neighbor of exploiting a United Nations humanitarian forum to spread misinformation for political advantage. The diplomatic confrontation unfolded during the 76th session of the Executive Committee of the High Commissioner’s Programme in Geneva.

Thailand Accuses Cambodia of ‘Distorting the Truth’ in UN Address

Pratana Disyatat, deputy Permanent Representative of Thailand’s Permanent Mission to the UN in Geneva, exercised her right to reply after Cambodian Permanent Representative Dara In claimed that armed incursions from Thailand had displaced civilians, destroyed homes and pagodas, and threatened mass forced evictions in violation of international law. Dara In described a profound human toll, with families fleeing in fear and livelihoods vanishing overnight, while emphasizing that Cambodia’s conduct had been guided by law and restraint.

In her response, Pratana characterized these claims as unfounded and deeply regrettable. She asserted that the villages referenced by Cambodia are unequivocally located within Thai territory, tracing their origin to Thailand’s humanitarian decision in the late 1970s to open its borders to hundreds of thousands of Cambodians fleeing civil war. These sites, she clarified, were originally temporary shelters under UNHCR supervision for refugees awaiting resettlement.

Cambodia has once again brought its border conflicts with Thailand to the United Nations, only to face strong counterstatements from Bangkok, which called the claims a fabrication intended for political gain.https://t.co/6XwTO0tspL#ThaiPBSWorld #ThailandNews #Cambodia #border pic.twitter.com/Xz4Qf8ewc0

— Thai PBS World (@ThaiPBSWorld) October 11, 2025

Pratana stated that after the Cambodian conflict ended, the shelters were officially closed, but some Cambodians subsequently moved back and expanded settlements despite repeated Thai protests over encroachment. She further accused the Cambodian military of recently encouraging civilians, including children, women, and monks, to enter these areas and engage in provocative actions against Thailand, which she labeled a serious violation of Thai sovereignty and existing bilateral frameworks.

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Addressing the issue of prisoners of war, Pratana confirmed that 18 detainees were captured during renewed hostilities initiated by Cambodia in breach of the ceasefire. She affirmed they were treated humanely with regular International Committee of the Red Cross access and would be released upon the cessation of hostilities. The Thai diplomat concluded by expressing disappointment that Thailand’s longstanding humanitarian tradition and neighborly goodwill were being repaid in this manner, casting doubt on Cambodia’s willingness to cooperate in good faith.

-Thailand News (TN)