Thai, Cambodian soldiers exchange fire at disputed border area
Thai and Cambodian soldiers talk along a disputed part of the Thai-Cambodian border. PHOTO: AFP
BANGKOK – Thai and Cambodian soldiers exchanged fire at a disputed border area early on May 28, prompting the two sides to hold talks to end the standoff.
Thailand accused Cambodian soldiers of entering the disputed area in violation of an agreement and firing at its soldiers when confronted. Thai troops returned fire.
There were no injuries or casualties in the clashes that took place near the border area in Thailand's north-eastern Ubon Ratchathani province, Major-General Winthai Suvaree, a spokesman for the Thai army, told reporters.
But Cambodian army spokesman Major-General Mao Phalla said a Cambodian soldier was killed.
'One of our soldiers died during the fight, and there were some injuries, but we don't have detailed figures yet,' he said.
He told the Associated Press the Cambodian troops were conducting a routine patrol along the border when the Thai side opened fire.
Government spokesman Pen Bona did not immediately respond to a Bloomberg request seeking details of the clash.
Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the firing was triggered by a misunderstanding and both sides were talking to diffuse the tension.
Thailand will not pull its troops until Cambodian soldiers, who have dug a trench in the disputed area, withdraw, Lieutenant-General Boonsin Phadklang, commander of the 2nd Army Region, told reporters.
Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of clashes over land disputes, but they have largely maintained cordial relations since a deadly conflict in 2011 left dozens dead.
The border skirmishes happened a day after a gathering of Asean leaders in Kuala Lumpur reiterated their commitment to regional peace, security and stability. Cambodia and Thailand are both members of Asean. BLOOMBERG, AFP
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Trump says he spoke to Putin about Ukraine drone attacks, Iran
US President Donald Trump (left) had a phone conversation with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on June 4. PHOTO: AFP Trump says he spoke to Putin about Ukraine drone attacks, Iran WASHINGTON - US President Donald Trump said on June 4 that he discussed the recent drone attacks by Ukraine on Russia and developments concerning Iran in a telephone conversation with Russian President Vladimir Putin. During the conversation, Mr Putin told Mr Trump that Russia will have to respond to the Ukrainian drone attacks, the US president said. "It was a good conversation, but not a conversation that will lead to immediate Peace," he said, in a Truth Social post. "I stated to President Putin that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon and, on this, I believe that we were in agreement." REUTERS US President Donald Trump said he had enjoyed a 'good conversation' with his Russian counterpart, but not one that would lead to immediate peace in Ukraine. SCREENSHOT: X Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Portugal's PM Montenegro to keep most key ministers in new cabinet
Luis Montenegro, Social Democratic Party (PSD) and Democratic Alliance (AD) leader, leaves Belem Palace after meeting with Portugal President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, following the final results of the general elections in Lisbon, Portugal, May 29, 2025. REUTERS/Pedro Nunes/File Photo Portugal's PM Montenegro to keep most key ministers in new cabinet LISBON - Portugal's president on Wednesday accepted acting Prime Minister Luis Montenegro's proposal to keep most of the same key ministers in his new cabinet after his centre-right alliance won a snap election last month to continue in government. Montenegro had called the election for May 18 after losing a confidence vote. Although his Democratic Alliance (AD) coalition won, it again fell short of a working majority in a fragmented parliament in which far-right party Chega emerged as the main opposition force. Montenegro, who first came to power in March 2024, proposed reappointing Joaquim Miranda Sarmento as finance minister, President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa's office said in a statement. Environment and Energy Minister Maria da Graca Carvalho and Foreign Affairs Minister Paulo Rangel will also keep their posts. Montenegro created a new ministry, combining the economy and territorial cohesion portfolios, to be led by Manuel Castro Almeida. Acting Economy Minister Pedro Reis will not continue in his role. The new government will take office on Thursday, Rebelo de Sousa's office said. Montenegro has promised to continue the policy set last year aimed at lowering taxes for young people, the middle classes and companies, controlling immigration and tackling a housing crisis, while maintaining a small budget surplus. The new cabinet is a strong indication of policy continuity, said Filipe Garcia, head of Informacao de Mercados Financeiros consultants. "The fact that Montenegro has kept the finance minister, who is the most important, and the ministers of almost all portfolios, signals this," he said. The election, the third in as many years, was called after Montenegro failed to win a vote of confidence in March when the opposition questioned his integrity over the dealings of his family's consultancy firm. He has denied any wrongdoing. Lisbon University political scientist Antonio Costa Pinto said Portugal could expect political stability for one or two years. "Beyond two years it is very difficult to make predictions," he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Britain's Prince Harry explored changing surname to Spencer, says Guardian report
FILE PHOTO: Britain's Prince Harry looks on during the closing ceremony of the Invictus Games at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, February 16, 2025. REUTERS/Jennifer Gauthier/File Photo LONDON - Britain's Prince Harry and his wife Meghan explored the idea of changing their family name to Spencer amid months of delays in their two children receiving British passports, the Guardian newspaper reported on Wednesday. Harry, the Duke of Sussex, believed that the passport delays were the result of British officials blocking the applications over the use of the Sussex surname and HRH titles (his or her royal highness) for his children, the newspaper said, citing an unnamed source. A source with knowledge of the matter told Reuters that the prince had a meeting with his late mother Diana's brother, Charles Spencer, to discuss the family name. The source also said other media reports which said Spencer had advised Harry against changing his surname and that the legal hurdles to doing so were insurmountable, were inaccurate. Harry, the younger son of King Charles, stepped down from royal duties in 2020 and moved to California, where he lives with Meghan and their two children, Archie and Lilibet. Since leaving, he and Meghan have been highly critical of the royals in TV documentaries, an explosive interview with U.S. chat show host Oprah Winfrey and most notably in Harry's best-selling biography "Spare." The prince is barely on speaking terms with either his father or his elder brother, heir to the throne Prince William. In a BBC interview last month, Harry said he wanted reconciliation with the British royal family, but that his father King Charles will not speak to him over a separate row about his security. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
