Latest news with #ChalineeThirasupa
The Star
02-08-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thailand agrees to Malaysia, US and China observers for GBC meeting in Kuala Lumpur
Japan's Ambassador to Thailand Otaka Masato reacts next to a woman, injured from an artillery shell that struck a 7-Eleven convenience store and gas station on July 24, which also resulted in multiple fatalities, as foreign military attaches from major powers and Asean member countries and diplomats from 23 countries inspect the site, following a ceasefire between Cambodia and Thailand, in Sisaket province, Thailand, August 1, 2025. -- REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa BANGKOK (Bernama): Thailand has agreed to the inclusion of representatives from Malaysia, this year's Asean Chair, alongside the United States and China as observers at the upcoming General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, set to take place in Kuala Lumpur next week. Acting Defence Minister General Natthapon Nakpanich welcomed the consensus on holding the extraordinary GBC meeting in Malaysia from August 4 to 7, expressing appreciation for the collaborative effort. "It is my pleasure to confirm that Thailand accepts the proposal to include representatives from Malaysia, as the ASEAN Chair, US and China, who have been providing assistance since July 28, as observers to the GBC meeting,' he said in a statement. He added that the participation of observers from Malaysia, the United States, and China is scheduled to take place on August 7. Natthapon also expressed his sincere appreciation to all parties involved in making the preparations possible, particularly to the Malaysian side for its excellent coordination in arranging this important meeting. Last Thursday, Thailand's Defence Ministry proposed that the upcoming GBC meeting be held on neutral ground, suggesting Malaysia as the venue, and recommended that it run from Aug 4 to 7 to allow sufficient time for comprehensive discussions. Conflict at the Thai-Cambodian border began with a brief skirmish on May 28 and escalated into armed clashes on July 24. On Monday, Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire following a special meeting hosted in Putrajaya by Malaysian Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, the current Asean Chair. - Bernama
The Star
29-07-2025
- Business
- The Star
Business groups say swift ceasefire will prevent disruptions
Soldiers react as they receive flowers from members of a royalist group in support of the military at the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters, on the day military negotiations are set, after the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand agreed to a ceasefire on Monday effective midnight, in a bid to bring an end to their deadliest conflict in more than a decade after five days of fierce fighting, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 29, 2025. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa PETALING JAYA: The ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia is much needed to restore peace and regional stability at a time when employers are grappling with a complex global business environment, say business groups. The Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF) described the ceasefire as a positive development in light of slow global trade, ongoing geopolitical tensions and disruptions linked to US tariff rates. 'On behalf of Malaysian employers, including those with regional operations, supply chains and investment footprints in both Thailand and Cambodia, we express our deep appreciation for the Prime Minister's bold diplomatic intervention and rapid resolution of the escalating tensions along the Thai-Cambodian border. 'Employers across the region, particularly those in labour-intensive manufacturing, agribusiness, logistics and cross-border retail, now have the opportunity to continue operations without disruption while maintaining the safety of their workforce and facilities. 'MEF commends the commitment of both Thailand and Cambodia's peaceful conflict resolution through Asean platforms,' said its president Datuk Dr Syed Hussain Syed Husman. He added that since Malaysia maintains substantial trade and investment ties with both Thailand and Cambodia, any instability would pose real threats to business continuity, supply chains and regional confidence. Syed Hussain said the swift de-escalation will ease concerns raised by many members with direct operations or investment interests in both nations and help prevent further commercial losses, supply chain disruptions and reputational risks that can emerge from prolonged conflicts. Thailand is one of Malaysia's top trading partners in Asean with bilateral trade exceeding RM100bil annually. Cambodia, while smaller in volume, is a growing trade partner with Malaysia's total investments crossing RM12bil in recent years. The Malaysia-Cambodia Business Association (MCBA) also commended Malaysia's leadership role in brokering the ceasefire. MCBA founding president Datuk Seri Ricky Yaw praised Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim for his proactive diplomacy, especially in bringing the leaders of both countries together for urgent dialogue. 'This ceasefire is a critical step towards restoring peace and regional stability. We extend our highest respect to Malaysia for the leadership demonstrated in facilitating this breakthrough. 'We also pay high tribute to Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai for their political foresight and courage in making responsible decisions that balance national interest with regional peace,' Yaw said.
The Standard
29-07-2025
- Business
- The Standard
Thailand estimates over $300 mln in economic damage from border conflict with Cambodia
A view shows digital screens showing Thai national flags in support of the country inside a shopping mall, on the day the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand agreed to a ceasefire effective midnight, in a bid to bring an end to their deadliest conflict in more than a decade after five days of fighting, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa/File Photo
Straits Times
29-07-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Thailand estimates over $300 million in economic damage from border conflict with Cambodia
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: A view shows digital screens showing Thai national flags in support of the country inside a shopping mall, on the day the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand agreed to a ceasefire effective midnight, in a bid to bring an end to their deadliest conflict in more than a decade after five days of fighting, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 28, 2025. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa/File Photo BANGKOK - Thailand has estimated the initial costs of evacuation and damaged property at more than 10 billion baht ($307.88 million) after a five-day border conflict with Cambodia, and is expecting the eventual economic impact to be even bigger, the finance minister said on Tuesday. The government is preparing an initial budget of 25 billion baht ($771 million) to mitigate the effects, Pichai Chunhavajira told reporters. "I have to gather the budget for this as it will also stimulate the economy because there will be construction, house repairs and many more," he said. "It might not be enough and we may need to seek more," he said, adding the initial estimated damage had yet to include the disruptions in trade. In a separate statement, Pichai said the finance ministry had announced various relief measures to assist people and businesses affected by the border conflict. State-owned banks are offering measures including loan repayment deferrals, low-interest loans, refinancing options, and fee exemptions to support recovery efforts, he said. Tax measures include extending tax filing and payment deadlines to September, and tax deductions for repair costs — up to 100,000 baht for homes and 30,000 baht for vehicles, Pichai said. The government has also allocated 100 million baht to each affected province to meet local needs, which can be increased if necessary, he said. REUTERS
GMA Network
24-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Thailand F-16 jet bombs Cambodian targets as border clash escalates
People ride a two-wheeler past the Royal Embassy of Cambodia, after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia and said it would expel Cambodia's ambassador, following a landmine incident that injured Thai soldiers and recent clashes along the disputed border between the two countries, in Bangkok, Thailand, July 24, 2025. REUTERS/Chalinee Thirasupa BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH — A Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed targets in Cambodia on Thursday, both sides said, as weeks of tension over a border dispute escalated into clashes that have killed at least two civilians. Of the six F-16 fighter jets that Thailand readied to deploy along the disputed border, one of the aircraft fired into Cambodia and destroyed a military target, the Thai army said. Both countries accused each other of starting the clash early on Thursday. "We have used air power against military targets as planned," Thai army deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon told reporters. Thailand also closed its border with Cambodia. Cambodia's defense ministry said the jets dropped two bombs on a road, and that it "strongly condemns the reckless and brutal military aggression of the Kingdom of Thailand against the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Cambodia." The skirmishes came after Thailand recalled its ambassador to Cambodia late on Wednesday and said it would expel Cambodia's envoy in Bangkok, after a second Thai soldier in the space of a week lost a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently in the disputed area. Thailand's foreign ministry said Cambodian troops fired "heavy artillery" on a Thai military base on Thursday morning and also targeted civilian areas including a hospital, leading to civilian casualties. "The Royal Thai Government is prepared to intensify our self-defense measures if Cambodia persists in its armed attack and violations upon Thailand's sovereignty," the ministry said in a statement. Thai residents including children and the elderly ran to shelters built of concrete and fortified with sandbags and car tires in the Surin border province. "How many rounds have been fired? It's countless," an unidentified woman told the Thai Public Broadcasting Service (TPBS) while hiding in the shelter as gunfire and explosions were heard intermittently in the background. Cambodia's foreign ministry said Thailand's air strikes were "unprovoked" and called on its neighbor to withdraw its forces and "refrain from any further provocative actions that could escalate the situation." For more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have contested sovereignty at various undemarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border, which has led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a weeklong exchange of artillery in 2011. Tensions were reignited in May following the killing of a Cambodian soldier during a brief exchange of gunfire, which escalated into a full-blown diplomatic crisis and now has triggered armed clashes. Landmines The clashes began early on Thursday near the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple along the eastern border between Cambodia and Thailand, around 360 km from the Thai capital Bangkok. "Artillery shell fell on people's homes," Sutthirot Charoenthanasak, district chief of Kabcheing in Surin province, told Reuters, describing the firing by the Cambodian side. "Two people have died," he said, adding that district authorities had evacuated 40,000 civilians from 86 villages near the border to safer locations. Thailand's military said Cambodia deployed a surveillance drone before sending troops with heavy weapons to an area near the temple. Cambodian troops opened fire and two Thai soldiers were wounded, a Thai army spokesperson said, adding Cambodia had used multiple weapons, including rocket launchers. A spokesperson for Cambodia's defense ministry, however, said there had been an unprovoked incursion by Thai troops and Cambodian forces had responded in self-defense. Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said the situation was delicate. "We have to be careful," he told reporters. "We will follow international law." An attempt by Thai premier Paetongtarn Shinawatra to resolve the recent tensions via a call with Cambodia's influential former Prime Minister Hun Sen, the contents of which were leaked, kicked off a political storm in Thailand, leading to her suspension by a court. Hun Sen said in a Facebook post that two Cambodian provinces had come under shelling from the Thai military. Thailand this week accused Cambodia of placing landmines in a disputed area that injured three soldiers. Phnom Penh denied the claim and said the soldiers had veered off agreed routes and triggered a mine left behind from decades of war. Cambodia has many landmines left over from its civil war decades ago, numbering in the millions according to de-mining groups. But Thailand maintains landmines have been placed at the border area recently, which Cambodia has described as baseless allegations. — Reuters
