Thai Army Denies Chemical Weapons Use, Claims Cambodia Fabricated Allegations for Financial Aid

Thai military officials have categorically denied allegations regarding the use of chemical weapons along the Thailand-Cambodia border, calling the claims baseless and legally unfounded. In a formal statement, Major General Winthai Suwaree, spokesperson for the Royal Thai Army, rejected accusations that have recently surfaced in international discussions.

“Thailand has never conducted military operations using chemical weapons,” Major General Winthai stated firmly. “These allegations are false, lack supporting evidence, and have no legal foundation whatsoever.”

The controversy centers on white phosphorus (WP) munitions, which the Thai Army acknowledges possessing but maintains are used exclusively for legitimate military purposes. According to the spokesperson, these munitions serve specific tactical functions including creating smoke screens, providing battlefield illumination, and generating explosions and fire effects during military operations.

Major General Winthai pointed out that white phosphorus munitions are not classified as chemical weapons under the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), a crucial distinction in international arms control frameworks. The CWC, which entered into force in 1997 and has been ratified by 193 states, specifically defines and prohibits chemical weapons while establishing verification regimes.

“No international treaties prohibit the storage or deployment of white phosphorus munitions,” the spokesperson explained. “This means Thailand, like many other nations, can legally maintain and utilize these munitions for legitimate military operations.”

Military experts note that white phosphorus munitions exist in a controversial space in international humanitarian law. While not specifically banned, their use in civilian areas has drawn criticism from human rights organizations in various global conflicts.

The Royal Thai Army emphasized that their handling of such weapons adheres to strict protocols. Officials stated that WP munitions are tightly controlled within their arsenal and deployed exclusively against military targets. The spokesperson stressed that Thailand has never utilized these weapons against civilian populations.

“All Thai military operations strictly follow international law and humanitarian standards,” Major General Winthai affirmed. “Our forces are trained to uphold these principles without exception.”

The Thai military’s response comes amid what appears to be escalating diplomatic tensions with Cambodia. Without specifying the exact nature or timing of Cambodia’s accusations, Thai officials suggested that the claims represent a deliberate attempt to mischaracterize Thailand’s military practices.

“The public claims made by Cambodia are clearly intended to misrepresent facts and create misunderstanding in the international community,” the statement concluded.

The Thailand-Cambodia relationship has experienced periodic tensions over the years, particularly regarding border disputes around the Preah Vihear temple complex and surrounding territories. Military confrontations in the border region have occurred sporadically since 2008, with occasional flare-ups despite diplomatic efforts to resolve differences.

International relations experts note that allegations involving prohibited weapons can significantly impact bilateral relations and a country’s standing in global forums. Such accusations, whether substantiated or not, often draw attention from international monitoring organizations and human rights groups.

Neither the Cambodian government nor international weapons monitoring organizations have publicly responded to Thailand’s denial as of this reporting. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which oversees implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, has not issued any statements regarding these specific allegations.

Military analysts observe that transparent communication and potentially independent verification may be necessary to fully resolve the dispute and prevent further diplomatic deterioration between the neighboring Southeast Asian nations.