RTA condemns Cambodia for violating Geneva Conventions by attacking civilians
RTA condemns Cambodia for violating the Geneva Conventions by attacking civilian targets during border conflict
The Royal Thai Army (RTA) on Thursday condemned Cambodian troops for indiscriminately attacking civilian targets in Thailand, in violation of the Geneva Conventions.
RTA spokesman Col Winthai Suvari stated that while the RTA, with air support from the Royal Thai Air Force, limited its retaliation targets, Cambodia chose to "mercilessly attack civilian targets."
Winthai explained that Thai troops strictly observe international law to avoid casualties on both sides, whereas Cambodia did the opposite.
“Cambodia clearly violated the Geneva Conventions by using artillery to attack civilian targets and archaeological sites, including Prasat Ta Muen Thom, Prasat Done Truan, a petrol station in Si Sa Ket’s Kanthalak district, the Phanom Dong Rak hospital, people’s houses, and a border development centre in Surin’s Karb Choeng district,” Winthai said.
He added that attacks on civilian targets, particularly those resulting in deaths, were unacceptable.
Winthai insisted that the RTA would continue to defend Thailand’s sovereignty within the legal framework, striving to protect the people and pride of the country with its best efforts.
The Geneva Conventions, along with their Additional Protocols, form the core of international humanitarian law (IHL), providing clear protections against the targeting of civilians during armed conflict. While the original 1949 Geneva Conventions laid the foundation, the Additional Protocols of 1977 significantly strengthened protections against targeting civilians.
