Thailand claims Cambodia planted land mines, escalating dispute
Three Thai soldiers were injured when they stepped on a land mine during a routine patrol along an established route within Thai territory on July 16, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement late Sunday (July 20) The mines were not of a type used by Thailand and were recently laid in a "blatant violation of international law,' it said.
"The Royal Thai Government condemns in the strongest terms the use of anti-personnel mines,' the ministry said, adding that it planned to take action against Cambodia under the United Nations' Anti-Personnel Mine Ban Convention as a state party while pursuing bilateral channels to resolve the ongoing dispute. "Thailand calls on Cambodia to cooperate on humanitarian demining efforts along the border of the two countries as bilaterally agreed by both Prime Ministers.'
A spokesperson for the Cambodian government didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.
The border dispute between the two countries has blown up into a major point of contention, especially since a May 28 exchange of gunfire which killed a Cambodian soldier. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra subsequently sought to calm tensions in a call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, but the conversation was leaked, triggering an uproar at home and the Thai leader's suspension as premier by a court.
The foreign ministry's statement on the mines represents some of its strongest language towards Cambodia since the Constitutional Court suspended Paetongtarn pending an ethics probe into her handling of the dispute.
The mines were found in Chong Bok, site of the May exchange of fire. Thai officials said that incident occurred because Cambodian soldiers were digging a trench in the border area and opened fire on Thai soldiers, while Cambodia said its troops have long been stationed there and blamed the Thai side for shooting first.
Both countries have a history of clashes over land disputes but have largely maintained cordial relations since a deadly conflict in 2011 left dozens dead. But since May, both sides have massed troops along the frontier and limited land crossings that act as vital trade links.
Cambodia has said it wants the International Court of Justice in the Hague to help settle the disputed status of Chong Bok and three other disputed border areas. Thailand doesn't recognise the court's jurisdiction. - Bloomberg
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Ceasefire: Hun Manet says brilliant results in achieved in Putrajaya
PHNOM PENH: Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet hailed the ceasefire as a "brilliant result" and thanked Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his efforts to initiate the peace talks in Putrajaya today. The Malaysia-initiated special meeting between Thailand and Cambodia to resolve the ongoing military confrontation along the border areas of the two countries ended on a positive note. Both nations agreed to end fighting at midnight on Monday, a major step towards reducing tensions and restoring peace and security. "A brilliant result of the meeting, and I thank Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for taking the initiative to coordinate and host the meeting. "I believe that this ceasefire agreement between the Cambodian army and the Thai army is a key basis for building mutual trust and improvement of the situation towards normalcy in the future," Manet said on his Facebook posting upon his return from Malaysia this evening. Manet and Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai met for the first time since tension broke out between the two neighbours on July 24. Cambodia and Thailand were dragged into a diplomatic crisis following the armed conflict in the northern part of the Kingdom. In his posting, Manet also thanked the United States President Donald Trump and the Chinese government for their support of the ceasefire efforts. Over 80,000 people have been displaced, while 13 people, including soldiers and civilians, have lost their lives since the conflict erupted last Thursday. – Bernama
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Anwar applauded by US for brokering Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire
KUALA LUMPUR: The United States (US) has commended Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's leadership in brokering the immediate and unconditional ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the US applauds the ceasefire declaration between Cambodia and Thailand announced on Monday. "We are grateful to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his leadership and for hosting the ceasefire talks," he said in a statement released by the State Department late on Monday. Rubio urged Thailand and Cambodia to fully honour their commitments to end the conflict and prevent further escalation along their disputed border. "President Donald Trump and I are committed to an immediate cessation of violence and expect the governments of Cambodia and Thailand to fully honour their commitments to end this conflict." Rubio said the US will remain committed to and engaged in the US-Malaysia-organised process to end the conflict. "We urge all parties to follow through on their commitments," he added. Earlier, a special meeting, brokered by Anwar in his capacity as the current Asean chair, was held at the official residence of the Malaysian prime minister, the Seri Perdana Complex, in Putrajaya. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai attended the special meeting, which began at 3pm. This is their first face-to-face encounter since tensions erupted between the two neighbours on July 24. The meeting lasted nearly two and a half hours. Also in attendance were United States (US) Ambassador to Malaysia, Edgard Kagan, and Chinese Ambassador to Malaysia, Ouyang Yujing. The US was a co-organiser of the meeting, while China was an observer to promote a peaceful resolution to the ongoing situation. At a joint press conference after the meeting, Anwar announced that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire amid rising tensions along their disputed border. The two Southeast Asian neighbours have a long history of diplomatic rows over an 817km undemarcated stretch of their shared border. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been simmering since May 28 following a skirmish between their troops near the disputed Preah Vihear border area, which claimed the life of a Cambodian soldier. – Bernama
New Straits Times
5 hours ago
- New Straits Times
Thailand thanks regional leaders as ceasefire deal reached with Cambodia
BANGKOK: Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Monday expressed his gratitude to Malaysia's Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the Malaysian government, the government of China, and United States President Donald Trump for their goodwill and concern regarding the ongoing border crisis with Cambodia. Government spokesman Jirayu Huangsap said Phumtham emphasised that the special meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of Malaysia, Cambodia, and Thailand to uphold international law, peaceful coexistence, and multilateral cooperation in seeking a fair and sustainable resolution to the situation. He said that Malaysia, as the current Chair of Asean, would coordinate the establishment of an observer team to monitor and verify compliance with the ceasefire agreement. "Phumtham noted that the discussions reflected Thailand's determination to pursue a peaceful resolution while safeguarding national sovereignty and the lives of its citizens. "Both parties agreed to a ceasefire, along with confidence-building measures to ensure its sincere and effective implementation," Jirayu said in a statement issued following the Special Thailand-Cambodia Meeting held in Putrajaya on Monday. Jirayu said that following the meeting, both sides had agreed to restore direct communication channels between the prime ministers, foreign ministers, and defence ministers of the two countries. Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire amid escalating tensions along their disputed border, following the special meeting chaired by Anwar today. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Phumtham reaffirmed their commitment to de-escalation, agreeing to an immediate ceasefire and a return to normalcy, effective from 2400 hours (local time) on July 28. The two Southeast Asian neighbours have a long-standing history of diplomatic disputes over an 817km undemarcated stretch of their shared border. Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been rising since May 28, following a skirmish between their troops near the disputed Preah Vihear area, which resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier. The latest round of hostilities erupted on July 24, with armed clashes reported along Cambodia's northern border region, leading to casualties on both sides. – Bernama
