Deputy Prime Minister Sihasak sent a letter to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights clarifying three points regarding Tom Andrews' statement, accusing it of deviating from neutrality and inciting political exploitation.
On 8 August 2026, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs disclosed a letter from Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phaungketkaew to the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights dated 7 August 2026. It stated: "To the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, I refer to the end-of-mission statement by Mr. Tom Andrews, the UN Special Rapporteur on the human rights situation in Cambodia, dated 31 July 2026, following his official visit to Cambodia from 20 to 31 July 2026, and wish to state the following."
1. Thailand fully acknowledges that the Special Rapporteur’s end-of-mission statement is part of the Special Procedures’ working methods. However, Thailand is deeply disappointed with the credibility and accountability of this report, which makes numerous accusations against Thailand, although the statement should focus primarily on the human rights situation in Cambodia. Thailand views this action as exceeding the mandate granted by the UN Human Rights Council. Furthermore, Thailand is disappointed that the Special Rapporteur did not provide sufficient opportunity and time for Thailand to present facts and perspectives before releasing the statement and holding a press conference, which included many distorted facts without thorough verification. Such conduct also violates the ethical code for Special Procedures and mandate holders of the UN Human Rights Council, which requires mandate holders to act ethically, professionally, constructively, and to assess facts impartially based on internationally recognized human rights standards. In fact, Thailand has regularly provided relevant facts to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights through available channels, including letters to your office, statements to the UN Human Rights Council, and responses to complaints in June 2026. The failure to consider facts and views from all relevant parties comprehensively has led the statement to deviate from neutrality, fairness, and fact-based approaches, as well as the mandate of the Special Procedures. More concerningly, the statement has been used to stir political exploitation by involved parties.
2. As you are likely aware from discussions in Geneva, I have already informed you that the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and its consequences did not originate from Thailand but from Cambodia’s attack on civilian targets and hospitals in Thailand without provocation and indiscriminately on 24 July 2025. This attack caused Thai civilian deaths and injuries and forced hundreds of thousands of residents to flee their homes. These issues were not reflected in the statement but instead, it presented distorted facts and statistics. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a statement on this matter, attached herewith for your reference.
3. Since the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia began, Thailand has continuously cooperated with the Special Procedures and mandate holders of the UN Human Rights Council. Thailand expects the Special Procedures to reciprocate this cooperation. Unfortunately, the Special Procedures’ approach has shown significant shortcomings in professionalism and impartiality, failing to consider all relevant facts and views from all parties comprehensively and fairly before releasing the statement publicly. Such actions do not honor Thailand as a concerned country and risk enabling the Special Procedures’ mandate to be exploited for political purposes. As a member of the UN Human Rights Council, Thailand remains committed to cooperating with your office and the Special Procedures of the Council.