Thai Army denies F-16 airstrikes intently on Cambodian civilians
The Royal Thai Army has firmly denied allegations from Cambodian media claiming that Thailand used F-16 fighter jets to strike civilian targets during the ongoing border conflict, while accusing Cambodia of using civilians as human shields by placing artillery in civilian areas
In a press briefing at 12.36am, Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree, Army Spokesperson, dismissed the accusations as disinformation aimed at manipulating international perception.
No Attacks on Civilian Targets
The Thai military emphasised that its operations are strictly limited to military targets and are conducted with extreme caution, in compliance with international self-defence principles and International Humanitarian Law (IHL).
Cambodia Using Human Shields
Intelligence reports indicate that Cambodian forces have placed artillery and rocket launchers near civilian areas, effectively using civilians as human shields — a serious violation of humanitarian principles.
Precision and Restraint
Despite having the right to respond, Thai forces have deliberately avoided actions that could endanger civilians, underlining their commitment to humanitarian standards. Thai military equipment and targeting systems are described as highly accurate, unlike Cambodian fire, which they accuse of lacking precision and causing collateral damage.
Compliance with International Norms
Thailand reiterated that it consistently adheres to international law, the UN Charter, and humanitarian obligations in all military actions. The spokesperson urged observers to follow the situation closely to see that Thailand's conduct remains within legal and ethical boundaries.
“This is not just about defending borders — it’s about maintaining credibility on the world stage by upholding international norms,” Maj Gen Winthai stated.
The Thai Army has called for responsible reporting and restraint from spreading false information, warning that such disinformation could escalate the conflict and harm civilians on both sides.
