Lingling’s letter: A survivor’s voice silences foreign visitors

“I am the daughter of the petrol station owner and I was there when it happened. At the moment the rocket hit the 7-Eleven at our station, I was sitting at the counter of a nearby café.

Shrapnel from the explosion reached the café. Normally, the café is very busy, but due to the fighting between Thai and Cambodian soldiers, there were no customers that day.

After we heard the explosion, the other staff and I ran out of the café immediately. When I got outside, I saw a huge cloud of black smoke.

About two minutes later, my mother and aunt quickly arrived on a motorcycle to get me. My mom shouted for everyone at the petrol station to evacuate right away.”

That was the letter, written in English, recounting the July 24 tragedy, read aloud to foreign envoys visiting the site in Si Sa Ket province by Pitchapat, pet name “Lingling,” a 13-year-old girl and the daughter of the petrol station’s owner.

Foreign diplomats and military attachés had the opportunity today to get a first-hand look at non-military sites attacked by Cambodian troops. They also spoke with families who lost their loved ones in the attacks.

Their first stop was a convenience store inside the petrol station compound, which was struck by BM-21 rockets fired by Cambodian forces at around 10.50am on July 24.

Eight locals, including an eight-year-old boy and his mother, were killed and 15 others, just doing their shopping, were injured.

It was a tragic example of civilian infrastructure being directly targeted.

The delegation was also briefed on the ongoing danger posed by unexploded ordnance in the area, which continues to threaten both the physical safety and mental well-being of local residents.

Not only did the dignitaries witness the charred remains of the store, they also met with grieving families, one of whom brought a photo of their slain child.

The Thai military and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs arranged the visit, providing the foreign delegation with a detailed timeline, evidence and documentation related to the five-day conflict between the neighbouring countries.

The goal was to demonstrate that Cambodia had intentionally targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure, such as communities, hospitals and schools.

These inhumane acts led to the deaths of both civilians and soldiers and have driven more than 150,000 people from their homes.

The diplomatic corps, including defence attachés and members of the foreign media, also visited Ban Cham Meng sub-district Health Promoting Hospital in Kantharalak district of Si Sa Ket province.

This medical facility sustained severe damage from BM-21 rocket attacks on July 26.

A large hole could clearly be seen, carved out of the building as the rocket struck.

During the visit, the delegation witnessed the extensive damage caused by Cambodia’s indiscriminate attacks, which Thai authorities say constitute serious violations of the 1949 Geneva Convention, which protects medical facilities, both military and civilian.

The delegation also went to visit a shelter in the province, to meet with the displaced Thais there.

Japan’s Ambassador, Otaka Masato, said, after visiting one of the shelters, that he hopes that displaced residents will be able to return home and resume normal life as soon as possible.

He added that both countries must ensure the ceasefire holds and called for continued diplomatic dialogue and peaceful negotiations to resolve the conflict.

Regarding the visit, Masato said, “The Thai government has done a very good job of letting us see and understand what actually happened.”

Officials also presented the timeline leading up to the outbreak of fighting on July 24th, which they said began with Cambodian provocations earlier in the year. These included:

· Organising nationalist singing at Ta Muen Thom Temple (Feb 13th)

· Burning the Trimuk Pavilion (Feb 28), a symbol of Thai-Lao-Cambodian friendship

· Made terrain modifications near the border for military use (Mar-Apr)

· Troop reinforcements and equipment buildup along the border (Apr-May)

· Encroachment into Thai territory at Chong Bok and trench construction

· Laying PMN-2 anti-personnel mines, causing two Thai soldiers to lose limbs. A serious breach of the Ottawa Treaty

· Deployment of uniformed and plainclothes personnel to provoke incidents at Ta Kwai and Ta Muen temples, leading to frequent clashes with Thai locals.

In response, Thailand implemented border control measures, such as erecting fencing to prevent further incursions.

Nonetheless, Cambodian forces escalated the situation when, on July 24th, Cambodian troops opened fire on Thai soldiers near Ta Muen Thom Temple, triggering large-scale attacks using artillery and BM-21 rockets. Civilian areas deep inside Thai territory were targeted, including Phanom Dong Rak Hospital, Ban Phue petrol station and the convenience store, schools and residential zones in Surin, Buri Ram, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani.

The attacks resulted in 36 deaths, 15 injuries and over 150,000 people being displaced.

Participating diplomats and military representatives included:

· Ambassadors from Brunei, Japan and Myanmar

· Deputy Chiefs of Mission from Malaysia, Laos and Indonesia

· Other diplomatic representatives from the United States, Singapore, China, Vietnam and the Philippines

· Military attachés China, Malaysia, Pakistan, South Korea, Russia, Singapore, Germany, India, Laos, Canada, France, United States, Philippines, Japan, Vietnam, Italy, Netherlands, Indonesia, Sweden, Switzerland, Brunei, Turkey and the United Kingdom.