Opinion – Why does Thailand fear Cambodian tanks, while brandishing its own Gripen and F-16 Fighters

PHNOM PENH: Bangkok cannot demand reassurance over Cambodia’s defensive capabilities while repeatedly advertising its own readiness to use overwhelming military force. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has claimed that China assured Thailand that Chinese-made tanks supplied to Cambodia would not be used against Thailand. According to his account, the procurement agreement predated the recent conflict, although delivery was temporarily delayed because of the fighting, and Beijing eventually fulfilled an existing contract. Yet China’s official account of the meeting contained no public reference to tanks or to any special restrictions placed on Cambodia’s military equipment. Instead, President Xi Jinping called on…