Thai army urges calm amid Cambodian long-range rocket talk
The army said there is no confirmation regarding the location or likelihood of such deployment.
Army spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree said the reports stem from unverified intelligence and there is currently no indication of any deployment or targeting of PHL-03 rocket launchers.
His remarks came in response to social media warnings issued to residents in several northeastern provinces, including Ubon Ratchathani, Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Buri Ram, as well as parts of Yasothon, Roi Et, Maha Sarakham, and Nakhon Ratchasima.
Citizens were urged to stay alert and follow the news.
In response, the Royal Thai Air Force deployed F-16 and Gripen fighter jets to neutralise artillery positions near the Ta Kwai and Ta Muen Thom temple areas.
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Bangkok Post
14 minutes ago
- Bangkok Post
New breach sparks protest
The Royal Thai Army has condemned the Cambodian military for a second violation of the bilateral ceasefire agreement signed on Monday. The army described the incident as a serious breach that undermines peaceful efforts to de-escalate tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border. The ceasefire agreement, jointly declared by Thailand and Cambodia, was reached on July 28 and took effect at midnight that night. The agreement was intended to halt all hostilities without condition. The army says Thailand has strictly adhered to the terms by refraining from all use of force and scaling down military activities in the area to foster peace, mutual trust, and cooperation between both nations. Despite Thailand's compliance, the army has received reports from field military units that on July 29-30, the Cambodian military once again violated the ceasefire agreement. The incidents are detailed as follows: At Chong Khanma in Si Sa Ket, about 9.30pm on Tuesday, Cambodian troops opened fire with small arms at Thai positions. The clash continued until 10pm before subsiding. In the Preah Vihear area, Phu Makheu and Huai Thamariya in Si Sa Ket around 10pm on Tuesday, sustained small arms fire and mortar shelling were reported from the Cambodian side. Thai forces exercised their right to self-defence under international law. Sporadic fire continued into the morning of Wednesday. At Pha Mo E Daeng in Si Sa Ket at 5.17am Wednesday, mortar rounds were launched from Cambodian territory into Thai territory, clearly breaching the ceasefire. Strong condemnation "These latest actions by the Cambodian military constitutes a serious violation of the ceasefire agreement, marking the second such breach since the agreement came into effect. They reflect a clear disregard for international obligations, undermine efforts to solve the situation through peaceful means, and adversely affect the stability and mutual trust that should exist between the two nations," the army said. "Thailand remains firmly committed to the principles of restraint, peace, and the highest standards of humanitarian conduct. However, should further violations occur, the army will take all necessary and appropriate measures to safeguard national sovereignty and ensure the safety of the Thai people." Foreign military attachés to be invited Thailand will bring foreign military attaches based in Thailand to visit the Thai-Cambodian border over the next couple of days, Nikorndej Balankura, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesman said Wednesday. Mr Nikorndej was asked if Thailand would invite foreign military attaches to visit the scene of the border clash, as Cambodia was already doing so. He said Thailand's site visit would help the foreign military attaches gather first-hand information especially where non-military areas were attacked by Cambodian forces. "The reason why we are slow in bringing these foreign military attaches to the site is ... we don't know when the Cambodian side would break the ceasefire deal, which could affect the security of the foreign military attaches," he said. Speaking ahead of a Defence Council meeting, Deputy Defence Minister Natthapon Narkpanich said he told the army to coordinate the visit. The purpose was to show them the impact on Thai civilians of the Cambodian military's actions. He said the order was issued the previous night, and it remains unclear which countries will participate. Thailand is also seeking Malaysia's cooperation to observe the situation. Addressing Cambodia's ceasefire violations along the border, Gen Natthapon said Thailand will lodge a formal protest. Responding to Cambodia's denial of ceasefire violations, Gen Natthapon said such behaviour is consistent with Cambodia's past conduct. Gen Natthapon said both the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and armed forces have compiled evidence of Cambodian distortions, including aerial imagery and geospatial data from GISTDA and private sector sources. While this information will not be released at this stage, he said it will be presented during investigative proceedings to expose Cambodian misinformation. Drone ban enforced across 14 provinces In response to escalating border tensions, the Civil Aviation Authority of Thailand has issued a strict ban on all drone flights within a 9-kilometre radius of airports and temporary landing zones in 14 provinces, including Trat, Chanthaburi, Sa Kaeo, and Ubon Ratchathani. Violators face up to one year in prison, a fine of 40,000 baht, or both, said Rear Admiral Surasan Kongsiri, deputy spokesman of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters. A General Border Committee (GBC) meeting will be held on Aug 4, and Thailand would participate. The Thai side is awaiting a formal invitation from Cambodia. He said discussions held on Tuesday at the regional commander level resulted in a general agreement on the framework for dialogue and coordinated actions between military units on both sides. Formal protest Maratee Nalita Andamo, deputy spokeswowan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said Thailand has submitted a letter of protest against the Cambodian ceasefire breach to the Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs, in Malaysia's capacity as Asean chair. The letter has also been sent to observer countries, including China and the United States, which participated in the ceasefire negotiations in Malaysia on Monday. Thai embassies and consulates worldwide are also taking an active role in clarifying the Thai-Cambodian border situation to the international community.
Bangkok Post
an hour ago
- Bangkok Post
Negotiations hang in the balance as ceasefire teeters
Thailand is expected to gain an advantage from the ceasefire with Cambodia, though it remains uncertain as to whether the agreement will lead to the end of the heated territorial conflict, as Washington demands. US President Donald Trump, who called for a halt to the fighting over the weekend as a condition for tariff negotiations, asked American officials to resume talks with Thailand and Cambodia after the agreement, according to media reports. But the Royal Thai Army accused Cambodia of breaking the ceasefire, which took effect at midnight on Monday, as Thailand blocked incursions and protected its sovereignty in compliance with international rules, according to the Thai military. This is good for Thailand as the country is viewed as being sincere in addressing the problem and following the agreement, said Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries. "We are confident the final tariff rate will be lower than 36%. Perhaps we will gain a special rate," he said. Thailand is struggling to talk US officials into lowering levies on Thai imports after Vietnam was granted a 20% rate, a significant drop from 46%. Before the border dispute was used as leverage in tariff talks, it was unlikely the Thai tariff rate would fall from 36% to the same rate as Vietnam, said Tanit Sorat, vice-chairman of the Employers' Confederation of Thai Trade and Industry. This is because Thailand is "not a beloved child" of America in this region, he said. If Thailand does not secure a "special" tariff rate, it cannot compete with Vietnam, said Mr Tanit. Vietnam has an advantage over Thailand in many areas, boasting an ample workforce of young adults and more free trade agreements, he said. US tariffs and a tourism slowdown are expected to cause Thai GDP growth to tally 1.5-2% this year, excluding the impact of the territorial quarrel, Kobsak Pootrakool, senior executive vice-president at Bangkok Bank, told the Economic Reporters Association. Pornnarit Chuanchaisit, president of the Thai Real Estate Association, said the property sector has its own setbacks, as new launches and new construction have plunged due to a weak domestic economy. This means most developers are not affected by the relocation of some Cambodian workers, he said. With fewer new launches, Mr Pornnarit said demand for labour is lower and worker flows from Myanmar and Laos continue to sustain the market. "Both the working and living conditions of Cambodian workers in Thailand are better than anywhere else, and I would encourage foreign workers not to relocate to their home country," he said.
Bangkok Post
17 hours ago
- Bangkok Post
Protests lodged as ceasefire pact broken
Thailand lodged diplomatic protests against Cambodia on Tuesday for violating their ceasefire agreement, Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said. He said the protests were submitted to the prime minister of Malaysia, in his capacity as Asean chair, and to the United States and China, which are serving as observers in the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. The move followed reports that Cambodian forces continued firing along the border despite the ceasefire agreement reached on July 28. The agreement was intended to halt all hostilities as of midnight on July 29. While declining to disclose the contents of the letters, Mr Maris said the Thai government had lodged protests against Cambodia under available frameworks, including its use of anti-personnel landmines banned under the Ottawa Convention. He said Thailand also addressed the United Nations Security Council and affirmed that it exercised its legitimate right to respond to violations of its sovereignty with restraint and within the bounds of international law. Cambodia broke truce: RTA The Royal Thai Army (RTA) on Tuesday accused and condemned Cambodia of intentionally breaking the ceasefire agreement, which took effect at midnight, by firing shots at many Thai locations afterwards. The RTA said in a statement that Cambodia, after midnight, opened fire at Thai locations in the Chong Arn Ma, Chong Bok, Prasat Ta Kwai, Phu Makheu and Sam Tae areas. "That shows an intention to violate the (ceasefire) agreement and ruin a mutual trust system. The army condemns the act," said RTA spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree. Thailand took retaliatory measures in accordance with its right to self-defence, he said. He said Thailand did not invade anywhere. It was blocking incursions and protecting its sovereignty in compliance with international rules. Thailand complied with the ceasefire agreement as it stopped firing immediately at midnight, Maj Gen Winthai said. Col Richa Suksuwanon, deputy army spokesperson, said the RTA received reports from the Suranaree Task Force of renewed hostilities during the early hours of July 29. According to these reports, shortly after the ceasefire was supposed to take effect, Cambodian troops launched provocations in the Phu Makheu area of Si Sa Ket, prompting retaliatory fire from Thai troops. The exchange of gunfire continued into the morning. A similar confrontation occurred in the Sam Tae area of Kantharalak district, also in Si Sa Ket, where gunfire reportedly lasted until 5.30am, said Col Richa, adding Cambodian forces also fired explosives throughout the night. In Surin province, the 2nd Army Region reported explosions near the Ta Kwai temple ruins in Phanom Dong Rak district at 3am and again at 5am. Video footage taken by military personnel at 6.29am on Tuesday appeared to capture ongoing gunfire in the background, further corroborating the reported clashes. 11 key sites secured: TCBSAC RAdm Surasan Kongsiri, spokesman for the Thai-Cambodian Border Situation Administration Centre (TCBSAC), said Thai forces had secured 11 key locations along the Thai-Cambodian border as of Tuesday morning. They were Phu Makheu, Chong Arn Ma, Ta Muean Thom, Prasat Ta Kwai, Chong Bok, Don Tuan, Sattasom, Chong Chom, Chong Sai Ta Ku in Ban Kruat district of Buri Ram, Preah Vihear and Phran Yao. He said the conflict resulted in the displacement of over 188,000 civilians, 15 civilian deaths, 12 critically injured, 13 moderately injured and 13 with minor injuries. RAdm Surasan said the TCBSAC also condemned Cambodia for using ancient ruins as shields, and the act was a violation of Unesco guidelines. The 2nd Army Region Tuesday detained 18 surrendering Cambodian soldiers following the clash in the Samtae area of Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket and upheld humanitarian principles for the care and medical treatment of wounded personnel. Maj Gen Winthai said the incident occurred after Cambodia employed heavy and other weapons, firing into Thai territory. The Thai side deployed the Cavalry Battalion Task Force to conduct counter-operations and clear Cambodian positions. Containing damage: Phumtham Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai blamed the breach of the ceasefire agreement on poor communication or a lack of discipline from the Cambodian side. He said the unconditional ceasefire was agreed to allow for the conflict resolution process to continue, and discussions will be conducted under the bilateral mechanisms of the Regional Border Committee (RBC) and the General Border Committee (GBC). Mr Phumtham said the army's proposal at the July 28 meeting was accepted in principle.
