Thai Military Says Cambodia’s Chemical Weapons Claim Part Of "daily lies"
The Thai military denies Cambodia’s claim that Thailand used chemical weapons and says it is an example of the daily lies told by the Cambodian side.
“Thailand Denounces Cambodia’s Daily Lies and Deceptive Tactics Aimed at Manufacturing Legitimacy,” the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters wrote on its Facebook page ahead of its written dismissal of Cambodia’s chemical weapon use claim.
The armed forces headquarters said that the allegation by Lt Gen Maly Socheata, spokeswoman of the Cambodian Ministry of National Defense, was baseless. She accused Thailand of “violating Cambodian sovereignty and employing chemical weapons during military operations,” the headquarters said.
“These claims are completely unfounded and constitute a serious distortion of facts,” it said.
“Thailand has never adopted a policy to develop, produce, possess, or use chemical weapons under any circumstances. We remain fully committed to our obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), and strictly abide by the principles of international humanitarian law, with utmost regard for the safety of innocent civilians.
"In contrast, the Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense of Cambodia has resorted to the strategic use of disinformation in an attempt to fabricate legitimacy in the eyes of the international community," the Thai armed forces headquarters wrote. "This conduct is not only irresponsible but also deceitful, manipulative, and detrimental to peace and stability in the region.”
Regarding the fake news, Nikorndej Balankura, spokesman of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said it reflected organised efforts to distort information and discredit Thailand in the eyes of the international community.
BANGKOK POST
Commentary and Legal insights
Analysis:
The Thai military categorically rejects Cambodia’s accusation of chemical weapon use as baseless disinformation, accusing Phnom Penh of deploying "daily lies" to discredit Thailand—emphasizing its full compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention and international law while denouncing the claim as a strategic attempt to manufacture legitimacy in the eyes of the world.
Note on Legal Framework:
(1) Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC): Both Thailand and Cambodia are state parties to the CWC, which categorically prohibits the development, production, acquisition, stockpiling, retention, transfer, or use of chemical weapons.
(2) International Humanitarian Law (IHL): The use of chemical weapons in armed conflict is prohibited under customary IHL and is considered a war crime under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (Article 8(2)(b)(xviii)).
Legal Insight:
Cambodia's allegations, if unsubstantiated, risk being categorized as propaganda or disinformation under international norms. On the other hand, if there is genuine concern or evidence, proper legal channels—such as the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)—should be immediately engaged. If the Cambodian side knowingly disseminates false or manipulated information, this could raise questions of state responsibility for unlawful conduct under the Articles on State Responsibility (ARSIWA).
Thailand’s legal rebuttal, emphasizing adherence to international law and treaty obligations, serves to reinforce its compliance narrative while discrediting Cambodia’s claims absent clear proof.
For now, the legal discourse hinges on evidence, and until credible verification occurs, the accusations remain allegations with significant political and legal weight, but without proven violation. Without independent forensic investigation, mere social media imagery or official statements may not meet the threshold of evidence required by bodies such as the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) or the UN.