ភាពតានតឹងកម្ពុជា-ថៃ៖ អ្នកជំនាញព្រមានអំពីបញ្ហាក្រុមប្រឹក្សាសន្តិសុខអង្គការសហប្រជាជាតិ

 ​An expert warns Thailand that it may be at a disadvantage as Cambodia initiated the UN Security Council (UNSC) meeting and several council members have closer ties to Cambodia.

The UNSC has the authority to deploy military forces and could refer the dispute to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which the expert believes could be detrimental to Thailand's position.

Potential negative outcomes for Thailand include the UNSC imposing pressure or a resolution that fast-tracks the involvement of the ICJ.

The expert advises Thailand to conduct proactive diplomacy with friendly nations and present comprehensive information to counter Cambodia's narrative and potential bias within the council.

The simmering conflict between Thailand and Cambodia is set to escalate onto the international stage, with an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on the horizon.

As both nations brace for the high-stakes discussions, Associate Professor Dr Panitan Wattanayagorn, a leading expert in security and international relations, has cautioned Thailand on the potential pitfalls and outlined three crucial factors to consider.

Speaking on Nation TV's "Monitoring the Thailand-Cambodia Conflict" programme on Friday, Dr Panitan underscored that while the UNSC's urgent agenda presents an opportunity for Thailand, the kingdom must navigate the proceedings with extreme caution.

Navigating the UNSC Agenda

Firstly, Dr Panitan highlighted that Cambodia initiated the request for the emergency meeting and its inclusion as an urgent agenda item.

This is significant given the UNSC's existing backlog of pressing global issues, including the situations in the Congo, Haiti, Syria, and the Red Sea.

Integrating the Cambodian agenda amidst these existing priorities requires careful management by Thailand.

 

Secondly, the expert reminded that the UNSC holds unique authority within the UN to deploy military force for peacekeeping missions. 

This power means the council's pronouncements could be either advantageous or detrimental to either disputing nation. 

 

Furthermore, Dr Panitan suggested the UNSC might lean towards the International Court of Justice (ICJ), a mechanism already linked to the council. 

 

Should the dispute be fast-tracked or referred to the ICJ, he warned, it could potentially favour Cambodia over Thailand.

Lastly, Dr Panitan pointed out that among the five permanent and ten rotating members of the UNSC, several nations maintain closer ties with Cambodia than with Thailand. 

This geopolitical reality could influence decisions and necessitates a strategic approach from Bangkok.

Pre-Emptive Diplomacy is Key

The UN Secretary-General recently expressed concern over the Thai-Cambodian dispute, urging both nations to seek a resolution through dialogue and encouraging UNSC involvement. 

In light of this, Dr Panitan stressed the need for exceptional prudence from Thailand. 

He advised proactive engagement with friendly nations prior to the meeting, providing comprehensive information on Cambodia's alleged violations of Thai sovereignty, including landmine placements, and attacks on hospitals and civilian targets—actions that contravene several international agreements.

While such information benefits Thailand's case, he cautioned that some nations may already have taken Cambodia's side and might not be swayed by Thai evidence.

Dr Panitan also emphasised that the UNSC engagement is merely the beginning of a protracted battle. 

 

He called for Thailand to establish a dedicated, permanent data team, mirroring Cambodia's efforts, to continuously supply information. 

 

This is crucial given the rotating monthly presidencies of the UNSC, each responsible for organising and conducting the meetings.