Thai govt condemns Cambodia for grave war crime
In a statement that Mr Phumtham read at Government House, he said Cambodia was attacking Thailand and it was very disappointing that Cambodia opened fire although Thailand had been patient and chosen peaceful solutions in accordance with the principles of international laws and humanitarianism.
He said that Cambodia seriously violated international laws and humanitarianism by atttacking Thai hospitals and communities which were more than 20 kilometres away from the border.
'That killed 13 Thai civilians who included children, women and elderly citizens and greatly damaged peopole's properties. It is considered as grave war crime,' Mr Phumtham said.
According to him, the Thai foreign affairs minister on Thursday informed the United Nations secretary-general and the UN Security Council of 'the indiscriminate attacks, especially those on innocient people'. The minister also urged the world community to join the condemnation against 'the inhumane act'.
Mr Phumtham said that the Thai armed forces limited their retaliations at military targets in Cambodia and based the actions on self-defence in compliance with international laws.
He also said that about 100,000 Thai people were evacuated from affected areas and the government asked all airlines to operate special flights to bring Thai people from Cambodia back to Thailand safely.
He said that ministers would visit the affected northeastern provinces of Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket, Surin and Ubon Ratchathani provinces on Saturday to give moral support to locals and guarantee their safety.
He emphasised that border incidents were not a conflict between citizens of both countries but were "border clashes to protect sovereignty and respond to invaders."
Meanwhile, the Chanthaburi and Trat Border Defense Command expanded the imposition of the martial law in the eastern provinces of Chanthaburi and Trat which border Cambodia.
The martial law imposition covers Kaeng Hang Maew, Khao Khitchakut, Laem Sing, Makham, Muang, Na Yai Am and Tha Mai districts of Chanthaburi and Khao Saming district of Trat.
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