Latest news with #MalySocheata
The Australian
3 hours ago
- Politics
- The Australian
Cambodia-Thailand truce broadly holds despite shaky start
An uneasy ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia appeared to hold on Tuesday, as military commanders met despite Bangkok's allegations the truce had been breached with sporadic skirmishes. Following peace talks in Malaysia on Monday, both sides agreed an unconditional ceasefire would start at midnight to end deadly fighting over a smattering of ancient temples in disputed zones along their 800-kilometre (500-mile) border. The Thai military said Tuesday that Cambodian troops "had launched armed attacks into several areas" in "a clear attempt to undermine mutual trust", but said clashes later stopped. Cambodia's defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata insisted there had been "no armed clashes against each other in any regions". Both sides said morning meetings between rival military commanders along the border -- scheduled as part of the pact -- had gone ahead. In the Thai village of Ta Miang, seven kilometres from the frontier, Wanta Putmo said constant blasts for the last five days had stopped her from sleeping in the cramped bunker she had shared with nine others. "I feel a little relieved, but not completely," the 68-year-old farmer told AFP, after surviving mostly on canned fish and instant noodles donated by a local monk. "Maybe if I don't hear gunfire and shellings tomorrow, I might finally feel at ease and go back home," she added. - 'A minor skirmish' - Thailand's army said three meetings on the frontier had seen senior officers agree to de-escalation measures including "a halt on troop reinforcements or movements that could lead to misunderstandings". But the Thai military also said it had captured 18 Cambodian troops in post-ceasefire fighting "after Cambodian forces launched heavy and indirect fire into Thai territory". Late on Tuesday, it also reported fresh clashes with small arms and grenades at two border flashpoints. Earlier in the day a foreign affairs spokeswoman for Bangkok's border crisis centre, Maratee Nalita Andamo, warned: "In this moment, in the early days of the ceasefire, the situation is still fragile". Cambodian leader Hun Manet and Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai shook hands over the ceasefire deal Monday at peace talks hosted by Malaysia and attended by delegates from the United States and China. "I saw photos of the two leaders shaking hands," said 32-year-old pharmacy worker Kittisak Sukwilai in the Thai city of Surin -- 50 kilometres from the border. "I hope it's not just a photo op with fake smiles -- and that those hands aren't actually preparing to stab each other in the back." Speaking to reporters on a visit to Indonesia, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said "a minor skirmish" between Cambodia and Thailand after the ceasefire deadline had "resolved when the commanders met". An AFP journalist near the Cambodian border said the sound of blasts stopped in the 30 minutes leading up to midnight, with the lull continuing into Tuesday evening. Jets, rockets and artillery have killed at least 43 people since Thursday and displaced more than 300,000 -- prompting intervention from US President Donald Trump over the weekend. The flare-up has surpassed the death toll of 28 in violence that raged sporadically from 2008 to 2011 over the territory, claimed by both nations because of a vague demarcation made by Cambodia's French colonial administrators in 1907. On the Cambodian side of the border, some evacuees were seen leaving shelter centres Tuesday to return home, but on the Thai side acting Prime Minister Phumtham urged citizens "to await official instructions" before departing. - Trade talks - Both countries are courting Trump to secure trade deals and avert the US president's threat of eye-watering tariffs. The US State Department said its officials had been "on the ground" to shepherd peace talks. "I have instructed my Trade Team to restart negotiations on Trade," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, taking credit for the ceasefire deal after it was announced. "The US and I are still in negotiations," Thailand's Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira told reporters on Tuesday. "We're still waiting for the US to decide whether to accept our proposal." Thailand says 15 of its soldiers and 15 civilians were killed, while Cambodia has confirmed only eight civilian and five military deaths. More than 188,000 people have fled Thailand's border regions, while around 140,000 have been driven from their homes in Cambodia. burs-jts/ksb
Kuwait Times
4 hours ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire holds after shaky start
SURIN, Thailand: An uneasy ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia appeared to be holding Tuesday, as military commanders met despite Bangkok's allegations the truce had been breached with overnight skirmishes. Following peace talks in Malaysia on Monday, both sides agreed an unconditional ceasefire would start at midnight to end deadly fighting over a smattering of ancient temples in disputed zones along their 800-kilometre (500-mile) border. The Thai military said Tuesday that Cambodian troops 'had launched armed attacks into several areas' in 'a clear attempt to undermine mutual trust', but said clashes later stopped. Cambodia's defense ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata insisted there had been 'no armed clashes against each other in any regions'. Both sides said morning meetings between rival military commanders along the border — scheduled as part of the pact — had gone ahead. In the Thai village of Ta Miang, seven kilometers from the frontier, Wanta Putmo said constant blasts for the last five days had stopped her from sleeping in the cramped bunker she had shared with nine others. 'I feel a little relieved, but not completely,' the 68-year-old farmer told AFP, after surviving mostly on canned fish and instant noodles donated by a local monk. 'Maybe if I don't hear gunfire and shellings tomorrow, I might finally feel at ease and go back home,' she added. Thailand's army said three meetings on the frontier had seen senior officers agree to de-escalation measures including 'a halt on troop reinforcements or movements that could lead to misunderstandings'. But the Thai military also said it had captured 18 Cambodian troops in post-ceasefire fighting 'after Cambodian forces launched heavy and indirect fire into Thai territory'. A foreign affairs spokeswoman for Bangkok's border crisis centre, Maratee Nalita Andamo, warned: 'In this moment, in the early days of the ceasefire, the situation is still fragile'. Cambodian leader Hun Manet and Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai shook hands over the ceasefire deal Monday at peace talks hosted by Malaysia and attended by delegates from the United States and China. 'I saw photos of the two leaders shaking hands,' said 32-year-old pharmacy worker Kittisak Sukwilai in the Thai city of Surin - 50 kilometers from the border. 'I just hope it's not just a photo op with fake smiles—and that those hands aren't actually preparing to stab each other in the back.' Speaking to reporters on a visit to Indonesia, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said 'a minor skirmish' between Cambodia and Thailand after the ceasefire deadline had 'resolved when the commanders met'. An AFP journalist near the Cambodian border said the sound of blasts stopped in the 30 minutes leading up to midnight, with the lull continuing into Tuesday evening. Jets, rockets and artillery have killed at least 43 people since Thursday and displaced more than 300,000 -- prompting intervention from US President Donald Trump over the weekend. The flare-up has surpassed the death toll of 28 in violence that raged sporadically from 2008 to 2011 over the territory, claimed by both nations because of a vague demarcation made by Cambodia's French colonial administrators in 1907. On the Cambodian side of the border, some evacuees were seen leaving shelter centers Tuesday to return home, but on the Thai side acting Prime Minister Phumtham urged citizens 'to await official instructions' before departing. Both countries are courting Trump to secure trade deals and avert the US president's threat of eye-watering tariffs. The US State Department said its officials had been 'on the ground' to shepherd peace talks. 'I have instructed my Trade Team to restart negotiations on Trade,' Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, taking credit for the ceasefire deal after it was announced. 'The US and I are still in negotiations,' Thailand's Finance Minister Pichai Chunhavajira told reporters on Tuesday. 'We're still waiting for the US to decide whether to accept our proposal.' Thailand says 15 of its soldiers and 15 civilians were killed, while Cambodia has confirmed only eight civilian and five military deaths. – AFP
The Star
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodia rejects Thailand's repeated accusations of ceasefire violations
PHNOM PENH: Both a Cambodian government spokesperson and the Ministry of Defence spokesperson have repeatedly denied Thai accusations that Cambodian forces violated the ceasefire agreement after midnight last night. On Tuesday (July 29), a Thai army spokesperson, a Thai foreign ministry spokesperson, and Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai each accused Cambodia of breaching the ceasefire both morning and evening, while Cambodian statements insisted its forces remained calm to de-escalate tensions. In a statement issued by the Thai government on Tuesday afternoon, Thailand claimed that Cambodian forces 'violated the agreement by continuing indiscriminate attacks on Thai territory along various border areas, even after the ceasefire period had expired'. The statement noted that the Thai government tasked its foreign ministry with informing the international community, particularly the US, China, and Malaysia which witnessed the ceasefire negotiations on July 28. Thailand reiterated that it would not allow anyone to violate its sovereignty and instructed its military to remain fully prepared. However, Maly Socheata, spokesperson for Cambodia's Ministry of National Defence, firmly rejected these accusations. 'As the spokesperson for the defence ministry, I categorically reject the claims by the Thai army spokesperson which alleged continued fighting. I confirm that the Cambodian armed forces have strictly adhered to the ceasefire orders and agreement since 00:00 on July 28,' she told a press conference. Similarly, Pen Bona, head of the Royal Government Spokesperson Unit, stated that Cambodian forces have followed orders and maintained calm since the ceasefire took effect. 'The spokesperson unit firmly rejects Thailand's accusations of violations of the ceasefire agreement. The Cambodian government considers these baseless and false allegations to be made with malicious intent, contributing nothing to the implementation of the ceasefire,' he said. He added that Cambodia urges Thailand to act with sincerity in upholding the agreement. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
NDTV
13 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Thailand Army Accuses Cambodia Of Violating Truce As Clashes Continue
Thailand's army accused Cambodia Tuesday of violating an hours-old truce, saying clashes continued despite a deal meant to end the bloody fighting that engulfed their jungle-clad frontier. Following peace talks in Malaysia on Monday, both sides agreed an unconditional ceasefire would start at midnight to end fighting over a smattering of ancient temples in disputed zones along their 800-kilometre (500-mile) border. "At the time the agreement took effect, the Thai side detected that Cambodian forces had launched armed attacks into several areas within Thai territory," said Thai army spokesman Winthai Suwaree. "This constitutes a deliberate violation of the agreement and a clear attempt to undermine mutual trust, he added in a statement. "Thailand is compelled to respond appropriately, exercising its legitimate right to self-defense." Cambodia's defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata insisted there had been "no armed clashes against each other in any regions". However, both sides said morning meetings scheduled between opposing regional commanders along the border as part of the truce pact had either begun or were still scheduled to start. "I saw photos of the two leaders shaking hands," said 32-year-old pharmacy worker Kittisak Sukwilai in the Thai city of Surin -- 50 kilometres from the border. "I just hope it's not just a photo op with fake smiles -- and that those hands aren't actually preparing to stab each other in the back." In Cambodia's Samraong city -- 20 kilometres from the frontier -- an AFP journalist said the sound of blasts stopped in the 30 minutes leading up to midnight, with the lull continuing until mid morning. "The frontline has eased since the ceasefire at 12 midnight," Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a Tuesday morning message on Facebook. 'Good faith' Jets, rockets and artillery have killed at least 38 people since last Thursday and displaced nearly 300,000 more -- prompting intervention from US President Donald Trump over the weekend. The flare-up was the deadliest since violence raged sporadically from 2008-2011 over the territory, claimed by both because of a vague demarcation made by Cambodia's French colonial administrators in 1907. "When I heard the news I was so happy because I miss my home and my belongings that I left behind," Phean Neth told AFP on Monday evening at a sprawling camp for Cambodian evacuees on a temple site away from the fighting. "I am so happy that I can't describe it," said the 45-year-old. A joint statement from both countries -- as well as Malaysia which hosted the peace talks -- said the ceasefire was "a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security". A spokesman for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement Monday evening that "he urges both countries to respect the agreement fully and to create an environment conducive to addressing long-standing issues and achieving lasting peace". Both sides are courting Trump for trade deals to avert his threat of eye-watering tariffs, and the US State Department said its officials had been "on the ground" to shepherd peace talks. The joint statement said China also had "active participation" in the talks, hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN bloc chair Anwar Ibrahim in his country's administrative capital Putrajaya. Hun Manet thanked Trump for his "decisive" support, while his counterpart, Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, said it should be "carried out in good faith by both sides". Post-truce tariff deals Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn marked his 73rd birthday on Monday, but a notice in the country's Royal Gazette said public celebrations scheduled for Bangkok's Grand Palace had been cancelled amid the strife. Each side had already agreed to a truce in principle, while accusing the other of undermining peace efforts and trading allegations about the use of cluster bombs and targeting of hospitals. Thailand says 11 of its soldiers and 14 civilians have been killed, while Cambodia has confirmed only eight civilian and five military deaths. More than 138,000 people have fled Thailand's border regions, while around 140,000 have been driven from their homes in Cambodia.
Bangkok Post
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thai govt tells the world Cambodia broke ceasefire agreement
The Thai government on Tuesday complained to the international community, accusing Cambodia of continued and indiscriminate attacks on Thai soil after their ceasefire agreement came in to effect at midnight. The government said in a statement on Tuesday that Cambodian military forces broke the ceasefire agreed on at talks in Kuala Lumpur on Monday betwen the two prime ministers. 'The Thai Government sincerely upholds that agreement and strictly adheres to the jointly announced ceasefire agreement," the statement said. 'However, the Cambodian military forces have violated the agreement by launching continuous and indiscriminate attacks on Thai territory across various areas along the border even after the agreed ceasefire time had passed.' The ceasefire agreement was to take effect at midnight. The government said it informed the international community of Cambodia's violation of the ceasefire agreement, and the message went especially to China, Malaysia as the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and the United States 'who bore witness to yesterday's dialogue and negotiation – to inform them of Cambodia's lack of sincerity". The government said it ordered the armed forces to maintain their positions to protect the sovereignty of Thailand and the safety of Thai people. However, the government said it remained 'ready to proceed with dialogue at the regional command level between both sides as previously agreed in order to end the violence and prevent further losses to both civilians and military personnel". The government made the announcement after the army protested that Cambodia had violated the ceasefire agreement on Tuesday. Thai government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub said the cabinet on Tuesday ordered the military to maintain its forces along the border and do its best to defend Thai sovereignty and territory. The Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters rejected the statement by Cambodian defence spokeswoman Lt Gen Maly Socheata that both countries had fully complied with the ceasefire from midnight. Thailand had clear evidence showing that Cambodia fired their weapons in many areas on Thai soil after the ceasefire deadline, it said. 'Lieutenant General Maly Socheata is not only misleading the Cambodian public but also deceiving herself -- trapped in the very illusion she has fabricated. Her actions go beyond misinformation; they represent a deliberate attempt to construct a false reality to obscure her side's misconduct and evade accountability," the Royal Thai Armed Forces Heaquarters statement said. 'The Royal Thai Armed Forces call on Lieutenant General Maly Socheata to end this campaign of deception, which undermines trust and damages the fundamental principles of international cooperation. The international community must not allow such 'verbal illusions' to obscure the truth.' RAdm Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman of the Ad Hoc Centre on the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, said Thai troops occupied 11 areas along the border with Cambodia - Chong An Ma, Chong Bok, Chong Chom, Chong Sai Taku, Don Tuan, Phra Wiharn, Phran Yao, Phu Makhuea, Satta Som, Ta Kwai and Ta Muen Thom. He also said that the border clashes had killed 15 Thai civilians and injured 38 others, and more than 188,000 Thai civilian evacuees remain in shelters in safe areas.
