It is a 'positive' sign that the Cambodian government finally comes around to the idea of protesting this brutal act of killing civilians for crossing the two countries' common border for whatever reason. With the Thai PM reported to be coming to the Kingdom on his first official visit to seal bilateral agreements in the near future [since the recent military coup], it is imperative that this issue is brought into the discussion between the two heads of government.
he Thai armed services have a long history of committing 'shoot-to-kill' policy against unarmed people they regard as 'aliens' - mostly, civilians from neighbouring countries like Burma and Cambodia - straying into their identified territory. Ill treating these people the Thais are conditioned to view as traditional enemies with no entitlement to human status or dignity has been ingrained in their mindset, and forms a part of Thailand's unofficial approach on its immigration control and enforcement.
Some Cambodians have called on Cambodian authorities to act likewise towards Thai citizens, or Vietnamese nationals as one means of protest and response, but I think this is not something any decent people aught to be contemplating. We have to rise above such senseless reaction and murderous instinct towards people of any ethnic group who otherwise exercise no bearing on any given political-social agenda of their government or regime. National self-defense and protecting fellow citizens' lives and limbs need not resort to such inhumane, indiscriminate acts. Certainly, not against defenceless civilians, or their legitimate properties and businesses.
Now, I am aware of the trouble with the CPP regime and its habitual violence and intimidation exacted against its own citizens and civilians as a tool of sustaining its rule and power. This should not in any way influence or excuse this regime's, or one's thinking over other countries' violations of innocents' or civilians' human rights. It is the duty of rights groups and political parties to condemn and protest these forms of violence and transgression whether they issue from Phnom Penh or Bangkok. At the very least, the notion of an Asean unity and integration based upon common 'Asian values' and regional proximity as neighbours call for mutual adherence to and regard for some universal standards or concerns for 'territorial integrity', 'non-interference in the internal affairs' of other members as well as the security of nationals of all these member states.
The Thai government should, in my view, be held responsible for all the deaths and killings of Cambodian civilians at the hands of its armed personnel that had taken place over the years. A demand for financial compensation for all known deaths and injuries should also be lodged with Thailand. Doing this will contribute something to the cause of justice, the victims' family economic situation that had driven them to taking the [known] risks of crossing the border in the first place, and of course, to influencing Bangkok's future treatment of migrants from neighbouring countries.
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