Thai-Cambodian fighting extends into third day despite ceasefire calls
At least 30 people have been killed and more than 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in 13 years.
The Thai navy said there were clashes in the coastal province of Trat early on Saturday, a new front more than 100 km from other conflict points along the long-contested border.
The two countries have faced off since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish. Troops on both sides of the border were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse.
Thailand's death toll remained at 19 on Saturday, while Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata said five soldiers and eight civilians had been killed in the fighting.In the Kanthralak district of Thailand's Sisaket province, on the border near some of the clashes, hotel worker Chianuwat Thalalai said the town had emptied out.
"Nearly everybody's gone, it's almost a deserted city," the 31-year-old told Reuters. "My hotel is still open for some of those nearer to the border area that needs a place to stay."
Thailand's ambassador to the United Nations told a Security Council meeting on Friday that soldiers had been injured by newly planted land mines in Thai territory on two occasions since mid-July - claims Cambodia has strongly denied - and said Cambodia had then launched attacks on Thursday morning.
"Thailand urges Cambodia to immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith," Cherdchai Chaivaivid told the council in remarks released to media.
DECADES OF DISPUTES
Cambodia's defence ministry said Thailand had launched "a deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful military attack" on Thursday, and was now mobilising troops and military equipment on the border.
"These deliberate military preparations reveal Thailand's intent to expand its aggression and further violate Cambodia's sovereignty," the ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
Cambodia called for the international community to "condemn Thailand's aggression in the strongest terms" and to prevent an expansion of Thailand's military activities.
Bangkok reiterated it wanted to resolve the dispute bilaterally, telling the Security Council it was "deeply regrettable that Cambodia has deliberately avoided meaningful dialogue and instead sought to internationalise the issue to serve its own political objectives".
Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various undemarcated points along their 817-km land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes. Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
That led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths.
Cambodia in June said it had asked the court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognised the court's jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Filipino Times
3 hours ago
- Filipino Times
Thailand accuses Cambodia of violating ceasefire agreement
Thailand has accused Cambodia of violating a ceasefire agreement just hours after it took effect on Monday, following five days of deadly clashes along their shared border. Royal Thai Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvaree said Cambodian forces attacked Thai territory 'in several places' overnight, calling it a 'deliberate violation of the agreement' meant to undermine mutual trust. He said the Thai military stopped firing at midnight in line with the ceasefire but responded to Cambodia's actions to protect national sovereignty. 'I confirm that the Thai side did not use military force to invade, but to prevent encroachment and maintain national sovereignty under international rules,' he said. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a Facebook post on Tuesday that fighting had eased since the ceasefire took effect, noting a reduction in hostilities along the frontline. An AFP journalist in Samraong, a city near the border, also reported that the sound of gunfire and shelling ceased about 30 minutes before midnight and did not resume overnight. The two countries agreed to an 'immediate and unconditional' ceasefire during talks hosted by Malaysia, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Officials from the United States and China were also present. At least 38 people have been killed and more than 300,000 displaced since the clashes began, making it the most intense fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in more than a decade. International pressure to end the violence mounted over the weekend, with former U.S. President Donald Trump warning that trade talks would be suspended if the fighting continued. Both countries also face the threat of a 36% U.S. tariff starting August 1. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who facilitated the talks, described the agreement as a 'vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security.' The United Nations has also urged both countries to fully implement the ceasefire and create conditions for lasting peace. Hun Manet expressed hope that the agreement would allow displaced families to return and help restore trust between the two nations. Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the ceasefire reflects his country's commitment to a peaceful resolution and called on both sides to implement the agreement in good faith.
Sharjah 24
12 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
Thailand and Cambodia begin truce talks as fighting drags on
More than 200,000 people have fled as the two sides fired artillery, rockets and guns in a battle over the long-disputed area, which is home to a smattering of ancient temples. The flare-up is the deadliest since violence raged from 2008-2011 over the territory, which is claimed by both sides because of a vague demarcation made by Cambodia's French colonial administrators in 1907. Hours ahead of the talks, an AFP journalist in the Cambodian city of Samraong -- 17 kilometres (10 miles) from the fraught frontier -- reported hearing a steady drumbeat of up to 10 blasts a minute. US President Donald Trump -- who both nations are courting for trade deals to avert the threat of eye-watering tariffs -- intervened over the weekend, and said both sides had agreed to "quickly work out" a truce. Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet began their talks in the administrative capital Putrajaya around 3:15pm (0715 GMT). They met at the residence of Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim, serving chair of the ASEAN bloc of which Thailand and Cambodia are both members, who earlier told media he would focus on an "immediate ceasefire". Washington's top diplomat Marco Rubio said State Department officials were on the ground in Malaysia to assist the "peace efforts" while Cambodia said a delegation from its close ally China would also attend. But ahead of the summit, Thailand and Cambodia traded fresh fire and barbed accusations. Cambodia's defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said it was "the fifth day that Thailand has invaded Cambodia's territory with heavy weapons and with the deployment of a lot of troops". As he departed Bangkok airport, Phumtham told reporters he did not believe Cambodia was "acting in good faith" and called on the country "to demonstrate genuine intent" in the meeting. In Thailand's Surin city -- 30 kilometres from the border and a hub of evacuees fleeing the fighting -- 58-year-old Lamduan Chuenjit shared her leader's scepticism. "I hope the negotiation goes well today and ends with a ceasefire," the cleaner told AFP while sweeping a shopfront. "But I do wonder how trustworthy Cambodia is." Both sides point the finger On the eve of the talks, Thailand's military said Cambodian snipers were camped in one of the contested temples, and accused Phnom Penh of surging troops along the border and hammering Thai territory with rockets. It said there was fighting at seven areas in the rural region, marked by a ridge of hills surrounded by wild jungle and fields where locals farm rubber and rice. "The situation remains highly tense, and it is anticipated that Cambodia may be preparing for a major military operation prior to entering negotiations," the Thai military statement read. Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn marked his 73rd birthday on Monday, but a notice in the country's Royal Gazette said his public celebrations scheduled for Bangkok's Grand Palace have been cancelled amid the strife. Trump has threatened both countries with high levies in his global tariff blitz unless they agree to independent trade deals -- but said he would "look forward" to signing them once "peace is at hand". Each side has already agreed to a truce in principle, while accusing the other of undermining peace efforts and trading allegations about the use of cluster bombs and targeting of hospitals. Thailand says eight of its soldiers and 14 civilians have been killed, while Cambodia has confirmed eight civilian and five military deaths. The Thai military said it had returned the bodies of 12 Cambodian soldiers killed in combat. More than 138,000 people have fled Thailand's border regions, while around 80,000 have been driven from their homes in Cambodia. With the skirmish enflaming nationalist sentiments, Thailand warned its citizens to "refrain from any kind of violence, whether in speech or action" against Cambodian migrants living in the country.
Sharjah 24
12 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
Thailand and Cambodia agree to unconditional ceasefire
End to five days of clashes After five days of intense border clashes, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to halt fighting, with Malaysia mediating the resolution. The ceasefire takes effect from midnight GMT on Monday. Three hours of negotiations Following three hours of dialogue, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that both parties had accepted the ceasefire terms, to begin on July 28. A step toward peace In a joint statement, the Malaysian, Cambodian, and Thai leaders described the deal as a crucial first step in de-escalating tensions and restoring peace and security in the region. Malaysia leads ASEAN mediation Malaysia played the lead role in the negotiations, holding the rotating presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which includes both Cambodia and Thailand. 36 dead, nearly 300,000 displaced Since clashes began last Thursday, artillery and air strikes have killed at least 36 people and displaced nearly 300,000 individuals from the conflict zone. Blame and mistrust before talks Before negotiations commenced, both nations accused each other of sparking the violence and questioned each other's credibility, with international players like China and the United States observing closely. Thailand's response Thai Acting Prime Minister Bhumtham Wishayachai praised Malaysia's mediation, also crediting China and U.S. President Donald Trump, stating that both countries had committed to honoring the ceasefire in good faith. Cambodia sees path to normalcy Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manit welcomed the ceasefire as a step toward normal relations, emphasizing that the proposed solutions laid the groundwork for rebuilding ties. Casualties and evacuations The official death toll includes 23 Thais—nine of them soldiers—and 13 Cambodians, including five soldiers. Bangkok reported the evacuation of over 138,000 Thai citizens, while Phnom Penh confirmed over 140,000 Cambodians displaced.
