Indonesia backs peaceful resolution in Thai-Cambodian border dispute

The Star

26-07-2025

JAKARTA: Indonesia is closely monitoring the escalating border tensions between Cambodia and Thailand, expressing confidence that both Asean member states would resolve the dispute peacefully in accordance with international law.
'We are confident that the two neighbouring countries will immediately return to peaceful means to settle their differences in line with the principles enshrined in the Asean Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation,' the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday (July 25).
The ministry also confirmed that it is monitoring the safety and well-being of Indonesian nationals residing in the affected areas.
Cambodia on Friday called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire following an escalation in violence along its border with Thailand.
"Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire - unconditionally - and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute," Cambodia's ambassador to the UN, Chhea Keo, said following a meeting of the UN Security Council in New York.
The renewed clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops in their second day forced hundreds of thousands of civilians to evacuate from the border area, as both sides continue to exchange heavy artillery fire despite mounting international calls for de-escalation.
According to Reuters, at least 16 people, most of them Thai civilians, have been killed since Thursday in what has been dubbed the fiercest military confrontation between the two neighbours in a decade.
Fighting has been reported at no fewer than 12 locations along the 817-kilometer border, involving the use of heavy weaponry.
On Friday, the Thai military reported clashes at the Ubon Ratchatani and Surin provinces, saying that Cambodia had conducted a sustained bombardment on the area using Russian-made BM-21 rocket systems.
Bangkok then retaliated with an airstrike, which it insisted was an 'appropriate supporting fire in accordance with the tactical situation'.
AP reported continued fighting around the Ta Muen Thom temple where the escalations had initially started, with sounds of artillery fire still audible from the site early on the second day.
International concerns over a broader escalation have intensified, as both sides continue to trade blame and justify their offensives as acts of 'self-defense', while showing little consistent interest in third-party mediation.
Asean chair Malaysia on Friday published a statement expressing its deep concern, urging both parties to exercise the utmost restraint and to take immediate steps to de-escalate tensions.
'Malaysia wishes to underscore the importance of resolving the border dispute through dialogue and diplomacy in the spirit of Asean solidarity and good neighbourliness,' wrote Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, also offering the 'good offices of the Asean chair' to facilitate a peace-centered resolution.
On the previous night, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim personally called Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thai prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai to 'appeal directly to both leaders for an immediate ceasefire, peaceful dialogue and a diplomatic resolution.'
In a statement posted on his official Facebook page, Anwar said he welcomed 'the positive signals and willingness shown by both Bangkok and Phnom Penh to consider this path forward', underscoring the importance of 'the spirit of Asean unity and shared responsibility'.
Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura on Friday acknowledged to Reuters that Bangkok has received other mediating offers additional to Malaysia's, including the United States and China, but that it will not be considering any third-party mediating efforts at the moment, 'I don't think we need any mediation from a third country yet,' Nikorndej said at the interview.
'We stand by our position that bilateral mechanisms are the best way out. This is a confrontation between two countries,' he continued.
Phnom Penh has on the other hand urged various international organizations, including Asean and the United Nations, to pay more 'urgent attention' to the situation, with its PM having sent a letter to the UN Security Council to express its 'profound indignation over the unprovoked and premeditated military aggression by the Kingdom of Thailand's armed forces'.
Amid the spiraling situation, Cambodia's Hun Manet on Friday said in a national address urging his citizens to refrain from engaging in discrimination or any actions that may adversely impact the Thai embassy, foreign companies or citizens residing in Cambodia.
'Even though there is currently fighting between the Cambodian and Thai armies at the border, I appeal to all Cambodian citizens to maintain their morality and dignity,' he said, according to a Cambodian official statement.
The fresh clashes erupted on Thursday morning, around 360 km east of Bangkok, with both sides accusing each other of sparking the escalation.
Thailand and Cambodia have long-standing, overlapping territorial claims at multiple undemarcated sections of their shared border, particularly in the so-called Emerald Triangle that is home to several ancient temples.
Tensions were reignited in May following the death of a Cambodian soldier in a cross-border firefight, triggering a diplomatic standoff that has since been compounded by political uncertainty in Bangkok. - The Jakarta Post/ANN