Cambodia needs to single out Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang, the Commander of Thailand’s Second Army Region, who has been in charge of border operations with Cambodia.
Based on the evidence currently available, there are significant concerns with Thai Lieutenant General Boonsin Padklang who appears to have issued the command to close the borders with Cambodia and he allegedly ordered the killing of an unarmed Cambodian soldier and the torture of prisoners of war. Further he has allegedly stated his intention to attempt to seize the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh.
The doctrine of command responsibility in the law of armed conflict applies to superiors when their subordinates have committed unlawful acts, and particularly in this clear situation of an international armed conflict. There must be an investigation of these matters.
Youk Chhang, Director
Documentation Center of Cambodia
Email: dccam@online.com.kh Photo credit: Media in Thailand, 2025