Thailand, Cambodia agree to de-escalate border standoff
A Cambodian soldier (R) stands guard as Buddhist monks and visitors walk around the disputed ancient Khmer temple Prasat Ta Muen Thom, or Prasat Ta Moan Thom in Khmer, on the Cambodian-Thai border in Oddar Meanchey province on March 26, 2025. - AFP
BANGKOK: The governments of Thailand and Cambodia agreed to de-escalate a border standoff by adjusting military forces in the conflict zone, following a skirmish in late May. The decision was announced by Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in a post on X late Sunday (June 8).
The two nations will engage through the Joint Border Mechanism, with a meeting scheduled for June 14 in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh. They also plan to hold multi-level discussions aimed at restoring normalcy in bilateral relations as soon as possible, Paetongtarn said.
The latest move to calm tensions follows an order on Saturday from Thai Army Chief Pana Claewplodtook granting authority to the Burapha and Suranaree task forces to decide on the closure or opening of the Thailand-Cambodia border checkpoints under any circumstances.
In response to the directive, most border checkpoints in eastern and northeastern provinces shortened their operating hours to as little as three hours a day. Some crossings have restricted access entirely, banning tourists, gamblers and vehicles from passing through.
Tensions between the two South-East Asian nations heightened following an exchange of gunfire between troops on May 28 in the disputed Chong Bok border area, resulting in the death of a Cambodian soldier.
Cambodia has agreed to pull its troops back to their original positions away from the skirmish site, and backfill a trench that had been dug there, restoring the area to its original natural state, as proposed by the Thai side, Royal Thai Army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree said. - Bloomberg
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Sun
29 minutes ago
- The Sun
South Korea in ‘final stages' to sign major tank deal with Poland
SEOUL: South Korea is in the 'final stages' of negotiations to potentially sign a major deal to supply K2 tanks to Poland, according to South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration on Tuesday. In 2022, the two countries signed a $13.7 billion arms deal -- Seoul's largest to date -- which included South Korean K2 tanks and fighter jets for Poland, Ukraine's ally and neighbour. The negotiations for the potential upcoming deal -- part of the broader 2022 agreement -- are 'in the final stages, with both governments and companies working to expedite its conclusion', an official from South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration told AFP. While the agency did not disclose the amount, it said if signed, the deal would be the 'largest ever based on a single weapon system'. South Korea's Yonhap news agency reported that the potential deal is worth around $6 billion, with the country's Hyundai Rotem set to manufacture 117 tanks and Poland's state-owned Polish Armaments Group producing 63 locally. Yonhap reported that the signing ceremony is scheduled to take place in late June in Poland, but the Defense Acquisition Program Administration said the 'signing schedule for the second contract has not yet been finalised'. 'This contract includes provisions such as local production and technology transfer, which have required a significant negotiation period,' it said in a statement. The contract was originally expected to be signed late last year, according to Yonhap, but was delayed due to issues including political turmoil in South Korea following the brief declaration of martial law in December. South Korea has emerged as a major player in global defence exports, as Moscow's invasion of Ukraine created opportunities for its industry to secure large-scale contracts across Europe and the Middle East. It has signed major arms deals with countries such as Poland and Romania, including the export of K9 Howitzers and Chunmoo missile systems. South Korea's President Lee Jae-myung, who took office last week, has vowed a more dovish approach towards Pyongyang -- an ally of Russia -- compared with his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol. The nuclear-armed North, which technically remains at war with the South, has recently bolstered military ties with Russia. Pyongyang sent at least 14,000 troops to support Moscow's war in Ukraine, and officially declared the South an enemy state.
Daily Express
2 hours ago
- Daily Express
Iran says new round of US talks planned for Sunday
Published on: Tuesday, June 10, 2025 Published on: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 By: AFP Text Size: Iran's uranium enrichment reached 60%, violating the 2015 deal's terms and edging closer to the 90% level required for nuclear arms. (AP pic) TEHRAN: Iran's foreign ministry has said a new round of nuclear talks with the US is being planned for Sunday, after President Donald Trump said it was expected on Thursday. 'The next round of Iran-US indirect talks is being planned for next Sunday in Muscat,' foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said in a statement Tuesday, adding foreign minister and chief negotiator Abbas Araghchi would this week attend the Norway's Oslo Forum, a gathering of conflict mediators. Advertisement Iran and the US have held five rounds of talks since April to thrash out a new nuclear deal to replace the 2015 accord with major powers that Trump abandoned during his first term in 2018. On May 31, after the fifth round of talks, Iran said it had received 'elements' of a US proposal for a nuclear deal, with Araghchi later saying the text contained 'ambiguities'. Iran said on Monday the US proposal was 'lacking elements' reflective of the previous negotiations and that it would present a 'reasonable, logical and balanced' counter-proposal to the US through mediator Oman. Trump has said new US-Iran talks this week could clarify if a nuclear deal is possible to avoid military action. He added that the latest meeting with Iran was expected Thursday, although a source familiar with preparations said it would more likely be on Friday or Saturday. Iran and the US have recently been locked in a diplomatic standoff over Iran's uranium enrichment, with Tehran defending it as a 'non-negotiable' right and Washington calling it as a 'red line'. Iran currently enriches uranium to 60%, far above the 3.67% limit set in the 2015 deal and close though still short of the 90% needed for a nuclear warhead. Western countries, including the US, have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire atomic weapons, while Tehran insists its nuclear programme is for peaceful purposes. * Follow us on our official WhatsApp channel and Telegram for breaking news alerts and key updates! * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
The Sun
3 hours ago
- The Sun
Drugs, cybercrime and human trafficking among key focus areas at AIPACODD 2025
KUANTAN: Drug issues, cybercrime, and human trafficking will be the three key areas covered at the 8th Meeting of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Advisory Council on Dangerous Drugs (AIPACODD) 2025, to be held here. AIPA President and Dewan Rakyat Speaker Tan Sri Johari Abdul said the meeting will gather ASEAN delegates to exchange views and expertise in tackling these transnational crimes. 'AIPACODD has two main objectives: to foster consensus among ASEAN nations in formulating common policies, and to generate fresh ideas, especially on cybercrime and human trafficking, where we need fresh ideas that require legal input and proposals from member countries,' he said. Johari was speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the meeting, themed 'Uniting Parliaments for an Inclusive and Sustainable ASEAN in Addressing Contemporary Drug Challenges.' He added that the meeting's outcomes will be forwarded to the Parliamentary Select Committee for deliberation before any proposals are tabled in the Dewan Rakyat. 'We will also bring the outcomes of this meeting to the ASEAN Secretariat if they involve administrative matters that require its action, such as drug-related issues, for quicker response and implementation,' he said. The AIPACODD meeting began today and will continue tomorrow with deliberations and the adoption of the official resolution It will be followed by a closing ceremony and a speech of appreciation by the representative of the Philippines, which will host the next session. Tonight, a royal banquet will be held with the consent of the Sultan of Pahang, Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah, symbolising royal support for inter-parliamentary diplomacy in building a safer and more sustainable ASEAN. In his opening remarks, Johari noted that a United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) report released on May 28 warned of emerging threats facing ASEAN youth from synthetic drug products engineered to evade detection. 'Thai authorities recently seized 1,555 'K pods' containing ketamine and etomidate in vaping products, while etomidate in e-liquids has been detected in multiple member countries, including Thailand, Singapore and Indonesia,' he said. 'These products, with their attractive packaging and perceived 'safer' delivery through vaping, are designed to target younger users who may be unaware of the risks,' he said. Johari stressed that AIPACODD must evolve to stay relevant, as criminal networks now operate with corporate-like efficiency across illicit sectors. This transformation must recognise that drug trafficking is deeply intertwined with wider criminal ecosystems, including human trafficking, wildlife smuggling, money laundering and cybercrime, he added.
