Two sides to the coin in Thai-Cambodian relations

The disclosure by the Cluster Munitions Coalition that the Thai army used cluster munitions in recent border clashes with Cambodian forces may further dampen the strained relations between the two countries. Surprisingly, one Thai company has managed to weather all the political and military conflicts and perform remarkably well.

The Thai army top brass may have to cover their heads with buckets to hide their embarrassment – if they actually are embarrassed – after it was confirmed by an international non-governmental body that Thai artillery  fired cluster shells into Cambodia during the  border clashes in February.

The Cluster Munitions Coalition claimed Thailand had confirmed its findings to CMC officials at a meeting on Tuesday, acknowledging the first known use of such munitions since the ban came into force last August. The Thai army had constantly denied using cluster munitions.

Neither Thailand nor Cambodia are  among the 108 countries that have signed the Convention on Cluster Munitions, but each of them is party to a 1997 landmine ban treaty. The convention bans production, stockpiling and use of cluster munitions - which disperse bomblets from the air over a wide area.

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Thailand 'used cluster munitions'

Thailand used cluster bombs on Cambodian territory in February in contravention of an international agreement banning their use, a campaigning body said Wednesday.

The Cluster Munition Coalition (CMC) claimed Thailand had confirmed the findings of CMC officials at a meeting on Tuesday, acknowledging the first known use of such arms since the ban came into force last year.
Their use killed two people, said the CMC - an umbrella body for non-government organisations which played a major role in getting a wide range of countries to sign up to a ban. The Thai army has constantly denied using cluster bombs during the border clashes with Cambodia.

Acting government spokesman Panitan Wattanayagorn Wednesday said the Thai army had explained to the public that the munitions it had used to attack Cambodian soldiers were not considered the same type of cluster munitions that the CMC mentioned.

Mr Panitan said in fact there were several types of cluster munitions being used in several countries but it depends on how each army categorises them.

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Thailand 'admits cluster bombs used against Cambodia'

Campaigners against cluster munitions say Thailand has admitted it used the weapons against Cambodia in February.

The Cluster Munition Coalition called the decision "appalling" and "unconscionable".
The weapons were banned by an international convention three years ago, but neither Thailand nor Cambodia have signed the agreement.
Admitting the use of cluster munitions would represent a significant shift in Thailand's position.
Cambodia was quick to accuse its larger neighbour of using the weapons during four days of border fighting in February.

Thailand denied the allegation - saying that if anyone had used cluster munitions, it was Cambodian forces.
But several humanitarian organisations have visited the border area around Preah Vihear temple, and they reported finding unexploded cluster bomblets.

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Thailand 'admits cluster bombs' used against Cambodia

The bombs were reportedly used during border clashes around Preah Vihear temple in February Continue reading the main story

Thailand has admitted using cluster bombs during four days of border fighting against Cambodia in February, campaigners say.

The Cluster Munition Coalition called the act "unconscionable and appalling".

The weapons were banned by an international convention three years ago, but neither Thailand nor Cambodia have signed the agreement.

Thailand had previously denied the allegation, as each of the countries accused the other of using the weapons.

Since then several humanitarian organisations have reported finding unexploded cluster bomblets in the border area around Preah Vihear temple.

And this evidence appears to have caused the shift in Bangkok's stance.

The Cluster Munition Coalition said Thailand had admitted firing the weapons, banned by more than 100 countries, after Cambodian heavy artillery had targeted civilian areas.

According to the campaigners, thousands of villagers are now at risk of death or serious injury because of unexploded bomblets near their homes.

6 April 2011
By Guy De Launey
BBC News, Phnom Penh

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