‘High-level' readiness if Cambodia row escalates
Symbol of contention: Buddhist monks visiting the Preah Vihear temple on the border between Thailand and Cambodia in this file photo. — Reuters
THE military said it is ready to launch a 'high-level operation' to counter any violation of its sovereignty, in the strongest words yet in a simmering border dispute with Cambodia that re-erupted with a deadly clash last week.
The army said in a statement late on Thursday that its intelligence gathering indicated Cambodia had increased military readiness at the border while diplomatic efforts were ongoing, describing that as 'worrisome'.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra held a meeting of the National Security Council yesterday and said while the military was ready to defend Thai sovereignty, it understood the situation and when an escalation would be required.
'The military has confirmed readiness for any scenario,' she said.
'But any clash will cause damage, so we will pursue peaceful means,' Paetongtarn added.
'The government and military are working together, supporting each other.'
The two governments had for days exchanged carefully worded statements committing to dialogue after a brief skirmish in an undemarcated border area on May 28 in which a Cambodian soldier was killed. Ahead of yesterday's meeting, the army had said it was 'now ready for a high-level military operation in case it is necessary to retaliate'.
'Operations of units at the border have been conducted carefully, calmly and based on an understanding of the situation to prevent losses on all sides, but at the same time, are ready to defend the country's sovereignty to the fullest extent if the situation is called for.'
Cambodia's government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Thai military statement yesterday.
Although the two neighbours have a historic rivalry, their governments enjoy friendly ties, partly due to the close relationship between their influential former leaders, Thailand's Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodia's Hun Sen, whose daughter and son respectively are now the prime ministers in their countries.
After yesterday's security meeting, Thai armed forces chief Songwit Noonpackdee said the military supported the government's approach to settling the dispute peacefully.
Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said that in a meeting on Thursday with his Cambodian counterpart, Thia Saya, they discussed avoiding violence and proceeding with caution instead.
He said he proposed that both sides retreat to positions previously agreed in 2024.
Deadly clashes between Cambodia and Thailand last erupted in 2011 over the Preah Vihear, a 900-year-old temple at the heart of a decades-long row that has stirred nationalist sentiment on both sides. — Reuters
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