Thai JIC Presents Evidence Alleging Cambodian Military Use of Preah Vihear, Urges Independent Probe

Air Chief Marshal Praphas Sonchaidee, director of the Joint Information Center on the Thailand-Cambodia Situation, presented aerial photographs, coordinates and images of weapons -- including anti-tank RPGs, small arms and anti-aircraft positions -- that Thailand says show Cambodian forces used the Preah Vihear World Heritage site as a military position and fired from the area at Thai forces. Praphas called for independent verification of the evidence, cited the 1954 Hague Convention on cultural property protection, and said establishing a full timeline of deployment and weapons use was needed before assigning responsibility for damage to the temple. The statement follows Cambodia's September 9 UNESCO-ICOMOS report and September 10 CMAC assessment documenting extensive war damage at the site, which Cambodia attributes to deliberate Thai targeting.