Letter to Editor: Urgent Appeal to the United Nations: Thailand’s Deadly Breach of Ceasefire and International Law
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By Dr. Thourn Sinan — Spiritual & Tourism Professional
Phnom Penh, 13 November 2025
Introduction: A Crisis the United Nations Must Not Ignore
On 12 November 2025, Thai soldiers opened fire on Cambodian civilians in Prey Chan village, Banteay Meanchey province, killing one unarmed Cambodian and injuring three others.
This attack occurred despite a formal ceasefire and in clear violation of:
• The Joint Declaration signed in Kuala Lumpur on 26 October 2025,
• The ASEAN Charter,
• The Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia,
• The UN Charter,
• Customary international humanitarian law,
• And fundamental obligations to protect civilians in all circumstances.
Cambodia has exercised restraint.
Cambodia has respected the ceasefire.
Cambodia has honored every line of the agreement.
Thailand has not.
This is no longer a bilateral border incident — it is a growing regional threat and a human rights emergency requiring the urgent attention of the United Nations.
- Grave Violation of Civilian Protection Under International Law
The deliberate firing upon unarmed civilians constitutes:
• A violation of Article 3 common to the Geneva Conventions,
• A breach of the UN Basic Principles on the Use of Force,
• A serious violation of international human rights law, and
• Potentially a crime against humanity, given the pattern of repeated attacks and provocations.
The United Nations has repeatedly affirmed that attacks on civilians are prohibited under all circumstances. Thailand’s actions represent a direct challenge to these universal norms.
The victim in Prey Chan was not a soldier.
He was a civilian — protected by international law. - Thailand’s Repeated Breaches of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration
On 26 October 2025, the Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand, witnessed by the Prime Minister of Malaysia and the President of the United States, signed a detailed agreement to:
• Refrain from force and provocation
• Protect civilians
• Implement de-escalation measures
• Cooperate under ASEAN monitoring
• Promote stability and mutual trust
• Resolve disputes peacefully
• Engage transparently through bilateral mechanisms
Thailand has violated these commitments repeatedly.
The shooting on 12 November is only the latest chapter in a long sequence of:
• Armed provocations
• Poison powder deployment
• Use of drones and fighter jets
• Daily movement of border markers
• Disinformation campaigns
• Intimidation of Cambodian leadership
• Continued detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers despite the ceasefire
Each violation undermines regional peace, international law, and the integrity of ASEAN’s conflict-resolution mechanisms. - A Pattern of Conduct Amounting to Systematic Aggression
Cambodia implores the UN to examine the pattern, not just the incident.
For months, Thailand has engaged in actions consistent with:
• Creeping territorial expansion
• Psychological warfare against Cambodian soldiers
• Threats and intimidation against Cambodian officials
• The staging of fabricated landmine narratives
• Propaganda intended to mislead the international community
• Calculated attempts to provoke Cambodia into retaliation
Cambodia has not responded with force.
Cambodia has upheld international norms.
Cambodia has respected ceasefire obligations.
But restraint is not immunity.
Thailand’s unchecked conduct risks escalating into a broader humanitarian and security crisis that threatens not only Cambodia, but regional and international peace, meeting the threshold of concern under the UN Charter Chapter VI. - A Direct Appeal to the United Nations
Cambodia calls upon the United Nations — particularly:
• The UN Secretary-General
• The Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR)
• The UN Special Rapporteur on Extrajudicial, Summary, or Arbitrary Executions
• The Special Adviser on the Prevention of Genocide
• The Human Rights Council
• The UN Security Council, where appropriate
to take the following actions:
A. Condemn the killing of Cambodian civilians
A clear statement from the United Nations is essential to prevent further loss of life.
B. Call for an independent international investigation
including UN, ASEAN, and neutral observers.
C. Demand Thailand comply fully with the Joint Declaration
including humanitarian obligations, de-escalation, and civilian protection.
D. Urge Thailand to immediately release all Cambodian soldiers
still held in unlawful detention.
E. Monitor and report on potential war crimes and crimes against humanity
as defined under international criminal law.
F. Support Cambodia’s call for justice, truth, and accountability
to restore peace and protect civilian life along the border. - A Warning: The Situation Threatens Regional Stability
Unchecked aggression emboldens further aggression.
If this pattern continues, the border could become the flashpoint for a wider conflict.
Cambodia remains committed to peace.
Cambodia remains committed to international law.
But Cambodia cannot guarantee stability alone.
This is a moment when the international community must act, not after further blood is spilled.
Conclusion: Justice Is the Path to Peace
The shooting of an innocent Cambodian civilian is not simply a violation of law — it is an assault on human dignity.
The world must speak clearly, firmly, and without hesitation.
Crimes against civilians are not “border issues.”
They are crimes against humanity.
And silence only fuels impunity.
Thailand’s repeated breach of agreements, its targeting of civilians, and its reckless provocations must face international scrutiny.
Cambodia stands with truth.
Cambodia stands with peace.
We ask the United Nations to stand with us.
✍️ By Dr. Thourn Sinan — Spiritual & Tourism Professional
Kingdom of Cambodia
