Thailand today informed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) that it is exercising its right to self-defense under Article 51 of the UN Charter. This action responds to what Thailand describes as "Cambodia's unprovoked armed attack in five border provinces."

In a letter to the President of the Security Council, Thai Ambassador Cherdchai Chaivaivid detailed Cambodia's actions, which Thailand alleges "severely violated its sovereignty and territorial integrity." The ambassador requested the letter be circulated widely to council members as an official document.

Thailand accused Cambodia of using heavy weapons and "deliberately targeting Thai civilians and civilian infrastructure." Thailand asserts Cambodia's actions violate Article 2, paragraph 4 of the UN Charter, which prohibits the use of force against another nation's territorial integrity. Bangkok declared it "was compelled to act in self-defense under Article 51 of the Charter."

According to the Thai military, three of its soldiers have died since clashes erupted last weekend. The number of injured has not been released, but regional hospitals are treating several soldiers.

A photo released by Cambodia on 8/12 shows an injured journalist as border clashes erupted. Photo: AFP

Cambodia has not yet commented on Thailand's move. However, the Khmer Times on the same day quoted a senior government official who stated evidence is being gathered to file a lawsuit against Thailand at the International Criminal Court (ICC) for "continuous acts of aggression along the border."

The official criticized Thailand's attacks, which involved heavy weapons like fighter jets, for "causing widespread devastation and heavy casualties for Cambodian civilians."

According to Cambodia, as of today, the country has reported 9 civilian deaths, including one infant, and 16 injuries. Cambodia alleges that Thai attacks have also displaced over 37,000 families in many border provinces, including tens of thousands of children.

Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand escalated into clashes on 7/12, when soldiers from both nations exchanged gunfire along their disputed border. In the following days, both sides deployed heavy weapons, including F-16 fighter jets and multiple rocket launchers, targeting positions along the contested frontier, resulting in casualties among soldiers and civilians.

Ngoc Anh (According to Khmer Times, Nation, AFP)