Latest news with #KhmerTimes
Kuwait News Agency
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Kuwait News Agency
Cambodia, Thailand hold ceasefire talks amid mutual accusations of violations
KUALA LUMPUR, July 29 (KUNA) - The Cambodian and Thai armed forces held coordination meetings on Tuesday to implement the ceasefire agreement signed in Malaysia a day earlier, following four days of deadly border clashes that left dozens dead and displaced 300,000 people. Cambodian Ministry of Defense spokesperson Maly Socheata said in a press conference, reported by the Khmer Times, that commanders from Cambodia and Thailand to activate the ceasefire, halt troop reinforcements, exchange information, and immediately notify senior leadership of any developments on the ground. Socheata noted that additional meetings between regional commanders are being arranged and stressed that Cambodia is fully committed to honoring the joint ceasefire declaration brokered in Malaysia under the mediation of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. She added that the next phase would involve forming a joint monitoring mechanism under Malaysia's ASEAN chairmanship, potentially including foreign military attaches, to rebuild trust and stabilize the border. The Royal Thai Army accused Cambodia of violating the ceasefire, claiming that Cambodian forces launched attacks inside Thai territory after the truce took effect at midnight. Thai Army spokesperson Maj. Gen. Winthai Suvari said Thailand reserves its legitimate right to respond and defend itself. Cambodia denied the allegations, insisting its forces had fully adhered to the agreement, Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet both said the border situation had largely calmed, with both sides exercising restraint. The ceasefire reached on Monday in Putrajaya with Malaysian mediation, US coordination, and Chinese participation, follows the heaviest cross-border fighting in years. Tensions escalated after Thailand withdrew its ambassador from Phnom Penh and expelled Cambodia's envoy over landmine explosions that injured Thai soldiers-an incident Bangkok blamed on newly planted mines, which Cambodia denied. The two countries have a long-standing border dispute over the Preah Vihear Temple and surrounding territory, the International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that the temple belongs to Cambodia, but Thailand continues to claim adjacent areas. While the border saw frequent clashes from 2008 to 2011, recent mutual troop movements have reignited the standoff, prompting regional and international calls for dialogue and restraint. The next General Border Committee meeting is scheduled for August 4, 2025, to enhance communication between the prime ministers and defense and foreign ministers of both countries. (end)
Barnama
16 hours ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Cambodia-Thailand Truce Grabs Indochina Media
By Vijian Paramasivam PHNOM PENH, July 29 (Bernama) -- The just-concluded ceasefire talks between Cambodia and Thailand in Malaysia, which led to a pause in the border conflict between the two neighbours, received wide media coverage across the region. In Indochina, where border issues remain sensitive, the temporary ceasefire made headlines after Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai reached an agreement to end military confrontations. bootstrap slideshow Phnom Penh-based English dailies, Khmer Times and The Phnom Penh Post (now an online portal), provided extensive coverage of the agreement that took place in Putrajaya on Monday. 'Midnight ceasefire in place: Manet thanks all parties, looks forward to return to normalcy,' said The Post, while Khmer Times headlined 'Ceasefire Breakthrough.' The Khmer-language Kampuchea Thmey Daily has been giving the news prominent coverage since the lastest round of military confrontation broke out on July 24. In Vietnam, Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son welcomed the Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire agreement, stating that it was an important step in easing tensions, as reported by online news portal VNExpress. The ceasefire occurred on the day Vietnam commemorated its 30th anniversary of joining ASEAN. In conflict-hit Myanmar, state media The Global New Light of Myanmar's World Page lead said: 'Thailand, Cambodia agree on ceasefire, says Malaysian PM.'
Mint
2 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Thai Navy Joins Conflict Against Cambodia as Fighting Rages
(Bloomberg) -- Thailand said its navy joined the army in repelling Cambodian attacks on a new frontier in their disputed border, as the death toll from the escalating conflict climbed to at least 30. The naval operation early on Saturday followed the incursion of Cambodian troops at three different points in Trat province in Thailand's east, the Thai Defense Ministry said in a statement. The marine forces' counter-operation was able to push back Cambodian soldiers encroaching on Thai territory, it said. 'Thailand stands firm in defending its sovereignty,' the ministry said. 'Aggression will not be tolerated.' Cambodia in turn accused Thai forces of expanding its offensive deep into its territory against non-military targets including schools, pagodas and residential areas. Thai forces fired heavy artillery shells into several Cambodian areas outside the conflict zone, Khmer Times reported, citing its defense ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata. The renewed clashes followed two days of intense fighting that saw the use of fighter jets, rocket launchers and heavy artillery across several border areas, forcing the evacuation of more than 100,000 people from the conflict zones by both the countries. Thailand has put the death toll on its side at 19, including six soldiers since fighting erupted on Thursday, with more than 60 people injured. Cambodia has reported 13 deaths including five soldiers, and injuries to 70 others. The deadliest clash between the two nations in more than a decade came as longstanding border tensions erupted into a full-fledged conflict. Two Thai soldiers were maimed in landmine explosives and a Cambodian soldier was killed in border skirmish in May — the start of the current standoff. Thailand and Cambodia have claimed they are operating only in self-defense, with Bangkok insisting on a cessation of Cambodian hostilities before a ceasefire. On Saturday, Thailand's army also reported clashes in Sa Keao, bringing the number of border provinces involved to six out of seven. The two countries share a long history of border tensions, though relations have remained largely stable since a deadly 2011 conflict that left dozens dead. The last major flare-up centered on the Preah Vihear temple, a longstanding flashpoint dating back to the French colonial era. Much of the current dispute stems from maps drawn on differing interpretations of early 20th-century Franco-Siamese treaties, which defined the border between Thailand and Cambodia, then part of French Indochina. Read: What's Behind Deadly Thailand-Cambodia Border Clash?: QuickTake While the US, China, and Malaysia have reached out to both parties to facilitate a ceasefire, Thailand has said it's intent on resolving the hostilities bilaterally. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has said his country was ready for a ceasefire proposal that was brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as the current chair of regional group Asean. But Thailand backed out of the deal last minute, he said Friday. A special meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Friday — attended by representatives of both Cambodia and Thailand — called for restraint and resolution of the conflict bilaterally through peaceful means. The council also urged an immediate de-escalation of tensions and a ceasefire, while supporting Asean's role in mediation, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said Saturday. However, Thailand will not initiate the calling off of military action and Cambodia must end its hostilities first, Maris told reporters. 'Cambodia must show evidence of good faith to end this conflict,' Maris said, thanking Malaysia's Anwar for his offer to facilitate talks. 'They must end aggression and attacks on Thailand.' The conflict comes at a perilous time for both countries as they face a raft of economic challenges, including the looming threat of steep US tariffs. While neighboring Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have secured trade agreements with the Trump administration, export-dependent Thailand has yet to strike a deal. The border clashes also risk worsening a political crisis in Thailand. Its embattled leader Paetongtarn Shinawatra has already been suspended as prime minister over her alleged mishandling of the border dispute. Her Pheu Thai-led coalition has been on shaky ground since the defection of a key party last month reduced it to a slim majority, and now faces the threat of more anti-government protests seeking her ouster. (Updates with comments from Thai foreign minister in 12th paragraph.) More stories like this are available on
Bangkok Post
2 days ago
- Business
- Bangkok Post
Clashes continue Monday as Thai, Cambodian leaders set for peace talks
Clashes between Thai and Cambodian forces continued into early Monday morning as their leaders are set for talks Monday to halt the deadliest clash between the neighbours in more than a decade, with the US sending mediators after President Donald Trump used tariffs threats to press for a ceasefire. Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet are scheduled to meet in Kuala Lumpur at 3pm local time (2pm in Thailand), according to Thai government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub. The gathering will be at the office of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who's facilitating the dialogue in his role as the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The first talks since clashes began on July 24 come within 48 hours of Trump saying Thai and Cambodian leaders had agreed to 'quickly work out a ceasefire'. After separate calls with Mr Phumtham and Mr Hun Manet on Saturday, Trump had threatened that Washington will not do a trade deal with either country as long as the fighting continued. The clashes continued into early Monday morning ahead of the talks, with the Thai army reporting fighting at multiple locations along the border. Cambodia's defence ministry said Thai forces used heavy shelling at two locations from around 3am, the Khmer Times reported, citing a spokesperson. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said US officials are on the ground in Malaysia. China, the top trading partner for both the Southeast Asian nations and a major backer of Phnom Penh, is due to participate in the talks, officials from Cambodia said. 'Both President Trump and I remain engaged with our respective counterparts for each country and are monitoring the situation very closely,' Rubio said in a statement. 'We want this conflict to end as soon as possible.' Trump's tariff threat set off a flurry of diplomatic activities on Sunday with Anwar eventually getting the two sides to agree to meet. Rubio also spoke to the foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia and urged them to immediately de-escalate tensions while offering US help in future talks. Speaking to reporters just before meeting with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Sunday, Trump acknowledged the phone calls with the two leaders. 'I called the prime ministers of each and I said, 'We're not going to make a trade deal unless you settle the war.' A lot of people killed,' Trump said. 'And I think by the time I got off, I think they want to settle now.' With Trump's Aug 1 tariff deadline looming, trade-reliant Thailand wants to avoid antagonising the US president, especially as its officials have been holding talks to lower the steep 36% planned levy on its exports. Trump has claimed credit for helping halt border clashes earlier this year between India and Pakistan by leveraging trade measures, and is now applying similar pressure in Southeast Asia. 'When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!,' Trump said on Truth Social after speaking to Thai and Cambodian leaders Saturday. Thailand's trade talks with the US have included offering expanded access for American goods in an effort to narrow a $46 billion trade surplus with Washington. Neighbouring Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have already secured trade deals with the US in recent weeks. Thailand and Cambodia shouldn't have needed the pressure from Trump, and should have turned to Asean as a natural middle ground to mediate the conflict well before US intervention, said Fuadi Pitsuwan, a lecturer in international relations at Thammasat University in Bangkok. 'In the end, Trump will likely frame the situation as a win: he enforced a ceasefire while securing leverage' to impose punitive tariff rates, he said. Despite the economic stakes, Thailand has taken a firm stance ahead of Monday's talks. Officials say any ceasefire must be tied to bilateral resolution of the dispute, the withdrawal of troops, and a halt to the use of lethal weapons. Cambodia, by contrast, has said it is open to an unconditional cessation of hostilities. The talks are 'intended to listen to all proposals that could contribute to restoring peace,' spokesman Jirayu said. 'The Thai government remains committed to defending the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Every square inch of it.' The conflict, which escalated from months of simmering border tension, has killed more than 30 people and displaced over 150,000 civilians on both sides. Thailand has reported 22 fatalities, including eight soldiers, while Cambodia has confirmed 13 deaths, including five military personnel. Heavy artillery fire continued Sunday across their 800-kilometre (500-mile) border, with both sides accusing each other of targeting civilians. Thailand has responded by deploying F-16s and Swedish-made Gripen fighter jets to strike Cambodian military positions. Thailand and Cambodia share a history of border disputes, though relations have remained largely stable since a deadly 2011 clash that left dozens dead. The last major flare-up centred on the Preah Vihear temple, a historic flashpoint rooted in colonial-era disagreements. Much of the current dispute stems from maps drawn on differing interpretations of early 20th-century Franco-Siamese treaties, which defined the border between Thailand and Cambodia, then part of French Indochina.
Saudi Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- Saudi Gazette
Thai-Cambodian border clashes continue despite Trump ceasefire push
UBON RATCHATHANI — Artillery exchanges between Thai and Cambodian forces continued Sunday along the disputed border, despite U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to broker a ceasefire between the two Southeast Asian nations. Cambodian Defense Ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata accused Thai troops of continuing to 'invade Cambodian territory,' alleging they launched artillery shells and rockets into Cambodian areas, according to the Khmer Times. Meanwhile, Thai army spokesman Richa Suksuvanon said Cambodian forces had fired artillery into several Thai regions, damaging infrastructure. He emphasized that Thai forces 'will only cease fire when Cambodia comes to negotiate,' signaling no immediate end to the hostilities. The fighting entered its fourth consecutive day on Sunday. Although no new casualties were reported, the death toll remained at 33—20 killed on the Thai side, including six soldiers, and 13 from Cambodia, including five soldiers. Thousands have been evacuated from both sides of the Saturday, President Trump announced that both Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting prime minister had agreed to begin ceasefire talks following phone calls with fighting has continued despite those border dispute centers around areas along Cambodia's Preah Vihear province and Thailand's northeastern Ubon Ratchathani reignited on May 28, when a Cambodian soldier was killed, triggering the latest escalation. — Agencies
