Lieutenant General Thira-nan Nanthakhwang, Director of the Royal Thai Army Intelligence Department, recently made a puzzling statement regarding the Thai military’s need to remain on high alert for a potential resurgence of hostilities from Cambodian forces four to five months after the upcoming rainy season ends.

The statement by Lt. Gen. Thira-nan Nanthakhwang is highly questionable because, as Thailand’s intelligence chief, he knows better than anyone that Thai military forces are currently and openly engaged in the illegal occupation and seizure of numerous locations within Cambodian territory. He is well aware that this illegal Thai military occupation has caused clear consequences: not only the destruction of Cambodian military bases but also the forced displacement of many Cambodian families and damage to private property, including various ancient Khmer temples and a World Heritage site within Cambodia.

Despite these stark realities, he instead suggested that the Thai military—acting in “self-defense”—must be wary of further “aggression.” It is absurd for a state to publicly declare concerns about future invasion while its own military forces are actively deployed in an illegal occupation of a neighbor’s land, in violation of international law and ceasefire agreements.

This situation is akin to a bully who harasses others and then tells the world they must be cautious to prevent the victim from defending themselves. We are indeed living in a controversial era when the aggressor poses as the victim, while the true victim must demonstrate maturity and high levels of patience in seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

It is fortunate for Thailand, the region, and the world that Cambodia possesses the mental fortitude, discipline, and maturity to strive for a patient, peaceful, and steady resolution, rather than choosing a rational counter-attack that would escalate the weight of the conflict and expand the scope of military warfare.

Chhang Youk Director of the Documentation Center of Cambodia March 24, 2026