Latest news with #MarateeNalitaAndamo
Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thailand calls for UNSC support
Thailand has officially submitted a letter to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), presenting evidence that Cambodia initiated the armed conflict in the latest exchanges of gunfire between the two countries. Maratee Nalita Andamo, deputy spokeswoman for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said on Friday that Cambodia has submitted a letter to the UNSC, requesting an emergency meeting to address the border conflict. In its letter, Cambodia accuses Thailand of violating its sovereignty -- an accusation Thailand firmly rejects. "This claim is completely contrary to the facts," Ms Maratee said. Presenting evidence to UN "The Ministry of Foreign Affairs has already submitted a formal letter to the UNSC to clarify the situation, including evidence that Cambodian forces initiated the violence. Their actions led to numerous Thai casualties, both deaths and injuries, and clearly constitute an act of aggression against Thailand's sovereignty." She added that Thailand has requested the UNSC President circulate the Thai letter among member states to ensure the international community is fully informed of the facts. She said a closed-door meeting was held on Friday at 3pm local time in New York to discuss the border situation. She clarified that such meetings are standard practice when armed clashes occur between states and are not intended for passing any resolutions. Instead, the session will serve as an official forum for the parties involved, along with the 15 member states of the UN Security Council -- both permanent and non-permanent members -- to present and receive factual information. Thailand's permanent representative to the UN in New York will attend the session on behalf of the Thai government. "Cambodia has initiated a series of intense attacks against Thailand, targeting not only military objectives but also causing significant harm to Thai civilians, particularly in residential communities and critical public facilities such as hospitals. These attacks have resulted in multiple deaths and injuries,'' Ms Maratee said. International law violation She said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has issued a clear statement condemning the actions of the Cambodian armed forces as a serious violation of international law and has downgraded diplomatic relations with Cambodia accordingly. The Thai government is demanding that Cambodia take responsibility for a number of incidents, including cases where Thai soldiers stepped on landmines on July 16 and 23, and immediately cease attacks on all targets, both military personnel and civilians. Ms Maratee further emphasised that Cambodia's actions violate international law, specifically the First Geneva Convention, which protects state hospitals, and the Fourth Geneva Convention, which safeguards medical units. In a special cabinet session convened under the framework of the National Security Council on Thursday, the government approved resolutions authorising the armed forces to take necessary actions to safeguard Thailand's sovereignty and downgrade diplomatic ties. Anwar proposes mediation Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai yesterday said that Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as Asean chair, contacted him directly by phone on Thursday and discussed the border situation, subsequently posting on his personal Facebook page about his wish to act as a neutral intermediary. 'Civilians as human shields' The Facebook page "Army Military Force – Reserve" has released footage showing that the Cambodian artillery firing into Thai territory was positioned dangerously close to civilian residential areas. "Cambodia is using its own civilians as human shields. We have compiled clips from July 24 to 25 July showing Cambodian soldiers placing multiple rocket launcher systems, including BM-21 and RM-70, within communities and agricultural areas in Oddar Meanchey and Preah Vihear provinces." Thaksin's mood Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra took to the social media platform X late on Thursday to express gratitude for the concern and diplomatic outreach, but said the Thai military should first be allowed to "teach a lesson" to Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, whom he described as "deceptive" and whom he likened to the historical figure Phraya Lawaek. Thaksin's remarks come amid rising tensions and armed clashes along the border, and have sparked debate over the tone and timing of political messaging during such a potentially explosive military standoff.
SBS Australia
5 days ago
- Politics
- SBS Australia
Armed conflict erupts along Thailand/Cambodia border
An early morning clash along a disputed border area between Thailand and Cambodia has erupted into rare armed conflict. What started as small arms fire quickly escalated to heavy shelling in at least six locations, with at least fourteen people, mostly civilians, killed already. Both sides are blaming each other for the provocation, which comes as just the latest clash in a dispute that dates back over a century. The latest escalation of fighting came after a Thai soldier reportedly lost a limb, and another four were wounded in a landmine explosion, which Thai authorities say were laid by Cambodian forces. Hours after Thailand responded by expelling the Cambodian ambassador and recalling its own, violence broke out at the border. While Thailand says the landmine explosion was a result of Cambodia's aggression, Cambodia says Thai forces were on Cambodian territory. Thailand's Deputy Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs, Ms Maratee Nalita Andamo, says Thailand condemns what they claim was Cambodia's violation of Thai sovereignty. "Following, unfortunately, yet another landmine incident which occurred yesterday evening, 23rd of July 2025, where a further five Royal Thai Army personnel stepped on another landmine in Chong An Ma area, Ubon Ratchathani province, again, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns in the strongest terms this act as an egregious violation of Thailand's sovereignty, territorial integrity and the Ottawa Convention." With ground troops and tanks deployed along the border, thousands of people have evacuated from the area. Sitting in a tent beside her elderly mother, 53-year-old Ngerntra Pranoram is taking shelter in the Surin province, along the border of Thailand. She says she was taking care of her mother when they started hearing gun shots, then explosions. "We were shocked too. Nobody wants this to happen. I feel for the elderly and the disabled. It's very difficult for them to get here. It's a real struggle. Some people have cars, which is good, but for those who don't, it's really hard. We feel for them, we sympathise, but we don't know how to help. We also have elderly people with us, so we try to help as much as we can." On the other side, in the dark of night, a stream of Cambodian villagers and their families fled atop tractors, loaded up with their belongings The displaced villagers set up a tent camp about 30 kilometres from the border. Tep Savouen, a 45-year-old mother of four, says she and her children were forced to flee. 'It was about 8 o'clock this morning. Suddenly, I heard a loud noise. My son told me it might be thunder and I thought, 'is it thunder or is it loud, more like a gun?' At that time I was very scared.' Fighting broke out in an area known as the Emerald Triangle. On Thursday, Cambodian forces fired rockets and artillery shells into Thailand as Thai forces scrambled F-16 jets to carry out air strikes on six locations. Cambodian government spokesperson Pen Bona says Thailand is trying to claim Cambodian land. 'In conclusion, everything that happened today is caused by Thailand. Please remember, brothers and sisters and the international community, that Thailand open fired on us because they want our land.' Both Thailand and Cambodia claim ownership of Prasat Preah Vihear and Prasat Ta Muen Thom, ancient temples built on the mountains that divide them. In 1907, the French colony of Cambodia and the independent Kingdom of Siam, as Thailand was known until 1939, signed a treaty delineating the border between them. However, the treaty map differed from the treaty text and left Preah Vihear on the French side. In 1962, the International Court of Justice ruled that, as per the agreement, the temple belongs to Cambodia. Cambodia requested I-C-J intervention in the matter just last month, Pen Bona says it is now clear why they did. "Thailand's attacks are aimed at taking Cambodia land which is another reason that I think the international community as well as the International Court of Justice (ICJ) can clearly see the purpose of the royal government of Cambodia in bringing this case to the court to solve, so surely Cambodia will come out ahead in this case." Tensions have been simmering since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a border skirmish. Relations deteriorated dramatically last month when Cambodia's President Hun Sen humiliated the Thai leader by leaking a phone call between them discussing the border tensions. In the phone call, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra called the Cambodian leader 'uncle', and even criticised her own military commanders. Sparking public anger, Prime Minister Shinawatra has since been suspended from office pending an ethics probe. Thailand's acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, says they are seeking a resolution. "Right now, this is not about declaring war. This is about a clash, and we are still seeking a resolution. The important thing is that we stand firm in defending our national sovereignty, protecting ourselves from aggression, and ensuring our people do not suffer." Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet is requesting an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council to address what his foreign ministry labels "unprovoked military aggression". Both the European Union and China, a close ally of Phnom Penh, say they are "deeply concerned" about the clashes and calling for peaceful dialogue. The United States and France, Cambodia's former colonial ruler, also made separate calls for an immediate halt to fighting and for talks to begin. U-S State Department Principal Deputy Press Secretary Tommy Pigott says the US is deeply concerned. 'We are also gravely concerned by the escalating violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border. And deeply saddened by reports of harm to civilians. The United States urges an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution of the conflict.'
The Star
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Blast sparks new tensions
The country has accused Cambodia of placing landmines in a disputed border area after three soldiers were injured, but Phnom Penh denied the claim and said the soldiers had veered off agreed routes and triggered a mine left behind from decades of war. Thai authorities said the three soldiers were injured by a landmine while on a patrol on July 16 on the Thai side of the disputed border area between Ubon Ratchathani and Cambodia's Preah Vihear province. Cambodia's foreign ministry denied that new mines had been planted, and said in a statement on Monday night that the Thai soldiers deviated from agreed patrol routes into Cambodian territory and into areas that contain unexploded landmines. The country is littered with landmines laid during decades of war. 'The Royal Government of Cambodia categorically denies these baseless and unfounded allegations,' the ministry said. It added the country was fully committed to the Ottawa Convention, an international agreement banning anti-personnel landmines. On Monday, the Thai army said that 10 freshly laid Russian-made PMN-2 type landmines, which are not used or stockpiled by Thailand, were found between July 18 and July 20 in areas near where the soldiers were injured. 'This is a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Thailand and an outright breach of principles that are fundamental to international law,' Maratee Nalita Andamo, deputy spokesperson for the Thai Foreign Ministry, said on Monday in Bangkok. Figures from the Cambodia Mine Action Centre, which estimates there are still four to six million landmines scattered across the country, show five people were killed and a dozen injured by mines and unexploded ordnance in Cambodia in the first four months of 2025. The area where the Thai soldiers were injured is near where a Cambodian soldier was killed in May after a brief exchange of gunfire between the troops. The shooting has since flared into a broader diplomatic dispute between the neighbours that has destabilised the Thai government and seen the Prime Minister suspended from office. — Reuters
Japan Times
22-07-2025
- Politics
- Japan Times
Landmine dispute escalates tensions between Thailand and Cambodia
Thailand has accused Cambodia of placing landmines in a disputed border area after three soldiers were injured, but Phnom Penh denied the claim and said the soldiers had veered off agreed routes and triggered a mine left behind from decades of war. Thai authorities said the three soldiers were injured, with one losing a foot, by a landmine while on a patrol on July 16 on the Thai side of the disputed border area between Ubon Ratchathani and Cambodia's Preah Vihear province. Cambodia's foreign ministry denied that new mines had been planted, and said in a statement on Monday night that the Thai soldiers deviated from agreed patrol routes into Cambodian territory and into areas that contain unexploded landmines. The country is littered with landmines laid during decades of war. "The Royal Government of Cambodia categorically denies these baseless and unfounded allegations," the ministry said. It added the country was fully committed to the Ottawa Convention, an international agreement banning antipersonnel landmines. On Monday, the Thai army said that 10 freshly laid Russian-made PMN-2 type landmines, which are not used or stockpiled by Thailand, were found between July 18 and July 20 in areas near where the soldiers were injured. "This is a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Thailand and an outright breach of principles that are fundamental to international law," Maratee Nalita Andamo, deputy spokesperson for the Thai Foreign Ministry, said on Monday in Bangkok. Figures from the Cambodia Mine Action Centre, which estimates there are still 4 to 6 million landmines scattered across the country, show five people were killed and a dozen injured by mines and unexploded ordnance in Cambodia in the first four months of 2025. The area where the Thai soldiers were injured is near where a Cambodian soldier was killed in May after a brief exchange of gunfire between troops on both sides. The shooting has since flared into a broader diplomatic dispute between the Southeast Asian neighbours that has destabilized the Thai government and seen the Prime Minister suspended from office. Thailand said it will issue a formal condemnation and call for accountability from Cambodia for breaching the landmine treaty, and the army will also increase vigilance during border patrols. Cambodia said the landmine incident showed the need for both countries to settle the border dispute at the International Court of Justice. Bangkok has previously said it has never recognized the court's jurisdiction on the issue and prefers to settle the dispute through bilateral mechanisms.
TimesLIVE
22-07-2025
- Politics
- TimesLIVE
Landmine dispute escalates tensions between Thailand and Cambodia
The country is littered with landmines laid during decades of war. 'The Royal Government of Cambodia categorically denies the baseless and unfounded allegations,' the ministry said. It added the country was fully committed to the Ottawa Convention, an international agreement banning anti-personnel landmines. On Monday, the Thai army said 10 freshly laid Russian-made PMN-2 type landmines, which are not used or stockpiled by Thailand, were found between July 18 and 20 in areas near where the soldiers were injured. 'This is a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Thailand and an outright breach of principles that are fundamental to international law,' Maratee Nalita Andamo, deputy spokesperson for the Thai foreign ministry, said on Monday in Bangkok. Figures from the Cambodia Mine Action Centre, which estimates there are four to six million landmines scattered across the country, show five people were killed and a dozen injured by mines and unexploded ordnance in Cambodia in the first four months of 2025. The area where the Thai soldiers were injured is near where a Cambodian soldier was killed in May after a brief exchange of gunfire between troops on the two sides. The shooting has since flared into a broader diplomatic dispute between the Southeast Asian neighbours that has destabilised the Thai government and seen the prime minister suspended from office. Thailand said it will issue a formal condemnation and call for accountability from Cambodia for breaching the landmine treaty, and the army will increase vigilance during border patrols. Cambodia said the landmine incident showed the need for the two countries to settle the border dispute at the International Court of Justice. Bangkok has previously said it has never recognised the court's jurisdiction on the issue and prefers to settle the dispute through bilateral mechanisms.
