BANGKOK, Thailand – UN envoy Tom Andrews hits back at Thailand, insisting he sent a draft report on the border row two days before going public.
Andrews posted on Facebook Thursday that he forwarded the section on the Thailand-Cambodia border conflict to Thai authorities. No reply came before his speech in Phnom Penh.
Andrews sent draft to Thailand ahead of time
Andrews said he sent the draft two days before releasing it. He rejected claims Bangkok was not consulted.
Andrews said he welcomes feedback and remains open to Thailand’s view.
Thailand slams both procedure and content
Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow questioned how the information was sent and the accuracy of several claims. He said the findings are just one UN expert’s opinion.
The material is not a formal UN-approved document, said Sihasak. The report still needs review by the UN Human Rights Council, where member states can challenge individual claims.
Dispute over 650,000 displaced people
A key flashpoint is Andrews’ reference to around 650,000 Cambodians displaced by border tensions. Thailand’s foreign ministry rejects that number.
Bangkok says the figure includes residents of border villages that expanded onto Thai soil during Cambodia’s internal conflicts more than 50 years ago. Thailand argues these people do not meet the legal definition of internally displaced persons.
Thailand points to its own damages
Sihasak criticised Andrews for ignoring civilian casualties in Thailand and damage to Thai schools and hospitals. He said the report also fails to properly reflect Thailand’s position that it did not start the conflict.
Thailand demands independent experts verify information directly with each affected country. They should not present one-sided claims at public press conferences, according to the government.
Andrews stands by UN reports
Andrews said the 650,000 figure comes directly from existing UN reports. His references to the displaced are based on human rights concerns that apply regardless of conflicting territorial claims.
Human rights are relevant whether someone is Thai or Cambodian, said the UN Special Rapporteur. He maintains his position despite Thailand’s objections.
Final report to go to UN Council
On the issue of Cambodian migrant workers, Sihasak clarified that they were not forcibly deported from Thailand but returned to Cambodia after calls from the Cambodian government. Andrews will still give Thailand a chance to present its perspective before submitting his final report next month.
The report has not yet been reviewed by the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva.