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The Star
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand pushes for diplomacy after ex-Cambodia PM's 'extraordinary' attack
Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra speaks to administrative officials at the 12th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Battalion (Fort Surasinghanat) of a Thailand-Cambodia border town of Aranyaprathet district, as she battles to stay in power after drawing sharp criticism of her handling of a border row with Cambodia, in Sa Kaeo province, Thailand, June 26, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand's foreign ministry said on Friday it was taken aback by an unprecedented public attack on the Thai premier and her family by Cambodia's influential former leader, but stressed the need for diplomacy to resolve an escalating bilateral dispute. In a televised address that lasted more than three hours, veteran Cambodian politician Hun Sen rebuked Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra for her handling of a festering border row between the neighbours. Hun Sen, who led Cambodia for nearly four decades until stepping down in 2023, also took aim at Paetongtarn's father, divisive billionaire former premier Thaksin Shinawatra, until recently his close ally. "It surprised us, and it's quite extraordinary in terms of diplomatic norms," foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters. "Thailand has opened a lot of doors, and I insist that these doors remain open even after what happened this morning." Hun Sen, who is now president of Cambodia's senate but still holds enormous clout, accused Paetongtarn of looking down at him and his son, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. On Thaksin, who faces an impending court case over the legitimacy of a hospital stay that allowed him to skip prison time, Hun Sen said the former Thai leader faked his illness. "Thaksin was not sick," he said. "He pretended to be sick." Paetongtarn, 38, has come under enormous domestic pressure following the leak of the audio of June 15 phone call between her and Hun Sen, in which she appeared overtly deferential to him and also criticised a Thai military commander. That call came after an escalation in tensions along a disputed border between the Southeast Asian nations, where a Cambodian soldier was killed in a brief exchange of gunfire with Thai forces in late May. Despite Hun Sen's public vilification, Thailand is working to open a dialogue between both foreign ministers. "We are looking at the earliest possible venue where both sides can talk," Nikorndej said. "Speaking for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, we are a strong advocate for peaceful resolution through dialogue." At the root of the current tensions is a longstanding dispute over various undemarcated points along their 817 km (508 miles) land border. Following the recent flare-up, which also led to reinforcement of troop on both sides of the border, Cambodia said it would seek resolution by the International Court of Justice. Thailand does not recognise the ICJ's jurisdiction, but has gathered legal teams to study Cambodia's application and also talked with members of the United Nation Security Council to push its position, Nikorndej said, without naming those members. "We're doing everything we can to try to convince Cambodia to come to bilateral talks," Nikorndej said. (Additional reporting by Chantha Lach in Phnom Penh, Writing by Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by Martin Petty)
Irish Independent
24-04-2025
- Irish Independent
Mike Gaine disappearance: specialised Defence Forces engineering team assisting in Kerry search
A specialised Defence Forces engineering team is in Kenmare to assist with the search. The 56-year-old has been missing from Kenmare for 35 days, having been last seen buying phone credit in a local shop on March 20, after which he went missing. Gardaí have described the case as 'unique and challenging'. The search has been difficult and slow due to the mountainous and boggy nature of the land. The Defence Forces has now spent almost three weeks searching the 1,000-acre farm, but nothing of any significance has been found. Up to 50 members combined from the 12th Infantry Battalion, Limerick and the 3rd Infantry Battalion, Kilkenny arrived in Kenmare on April 1. Theu searched the farmyard and lands all the way to Molls Gap and down to the River Finnihy. The Defence Forces said personnel from 12th Infantry Battalion and an Engineer Specialist Search Team (ESST) from 1 Brigade Engineer Group are in Kenmare to assist gardaí this week. Garda sources said the army can get into places that other search teams cannot due to their training, and they are particularly specialised in rough and boggy terrain. They also have specialised equipment to cut back overgrowth. High-definition drone footage has also been used in the search. Gardaí have appealed to cycling clubs in Kerry to see if any of their members were in the vicinity of the farm on March 20. A garda statement said: 'As part of the investigation in relation to the disappearance of Michael Gaine, Killarney gardaí would appreciate if you could please canvass with members of your club to see if they cycled the Molls Gap Road from Kenmare to Killarney on this date please.' Cyclists with information are asked to contact Killarney gardaí on 064 667 1167. CCTV footage of Mr Gaine was captured in the local Centra at 9.49am on March 20, which is the last recorded sighting of him. He left the shop in his bronze-coloured Toyota RAV 4, with the registration 152KY366. The car was found in his farm yard just off the N71 at Carraig East, Kenmare. Gardaí are examining all options, and although foul play has not been ruled out, there is no evidence of any crime. Mr Gaine's phone and wallet was found in his car. His sudden disappearance has been described as completely 'out of character'. Mr Gaine is described as being about 5ft 10in, with a stocky build, brown/grey hair and a bushy beard. When last seen, he was wearing an orange woolly hat, black fleece, blue jeans and black boots.
