Thai Official Defends White Paper Against Cambodia Criticism

On August 11, Air Vice Marshal Prabhas Soanthaidee, deputy commander of the Royal Thai Air Force and director of the Thai-Cambodian Information Center, responded to a Cambodian article claiming Thailand's White Paper is merely "Thailand's position" and not an international court ruling. He acknowledged the technical accuracy of that point, noting Thailand never claimed it was a court judgment, but emphasized that what matters is whether the facts, evidence, and legal interpretations within the document are sound.

"If they say it's not true, show me where," Soanthaidee said. "If they say the evidence is wrong, tell me which piece. If they say Thailand's legal interpretation is incorrect, bring forward the law to counter it. That is the debate the international community should have." He explained that the White Paper compiles facts, timelines, documents, and legal principles to enable Thai citizens, media, academics, and foreigners to verify Thailand's position.

When asked about critics' call to test the document by "facts, evidence, and international law," Soanthaidee strongly endorsed the standard but insisted all parties apply it equally. "Don't use one standard to check Thailand and another for the other side," he said. He urged Thais not to share information in anger or believe claims out of preference, but to read and verify first.

Soanthaidee stressed that Thailand does not need the loudest voice, but rather needs Thai facts to travel farther. Citizens can help by sharing information with credible sources and verifiable evidence. He expressed confidence in Thailand's ability to stand on facts and welcome scrutiny: "Real evidence does not fear examination. We don't ask the world to believe Thailand because we say so—we ask them to look at the evidence and judge by facts. This is Thailand's confidence, and this is what JIC will continue to affirm."