Latest news with #Maris
Bangkok Post
an hour ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Protests lodged as pact broken
Thailand lodged diplomatic protests against Cambodia yesterday for violating their ceasefire agreement, Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said. He said the protests were submitted to the prime minister of Malaysia, in his capacity as Asean chair, and to the United States and China, which are serving as observers in the Thai-Cambodian border dispute. The move followed reports that Cambodian forces continued firing along the border despite the ceasefire agreement reached on July 28. The agreement was intended to halt all hostilities as of midnight on July 29. While declining to disclose the contents of the letters, Mr Maris said the Thai government had lodged protests against Cambodia under available frameworks, including its use of anti-personnel landmines banned under the Ottawa Convention. He said Thailand also addressed the United Nations Security Council and affirmed that it exercised its legitimate right to respond to violations of its sovereignty with restraint and within the bounds of international law. Cambodia broke truce: RTA The Royal Thai Army (RTA) on Tuesday accused and condemned Cambodia of intentionally breaking the ceasefire agreement, which took effect at midnight, by firing shots at many Thai locations afterwards. The RTA said in a statement that Cambodia, after midnight, opened fire at Thai locations in the Chong Arn Ma, Chong Bok, Prasat Ta Kwai, Phu Makheu and Sam Tae areas. "That shows an intention to violate the (ceasefire) agreement and ruin a mutual trust system. The army condemns the act," said RTA spokesman Maj Gen Winthai Suvaree. Thailand took retaliatory measures in accordance with its right to self-defence, he said. He said Thailand did not invade anywhere. It was blocking incursions and protecting its sovereignty in compliance with international rules. Thailand complied with the ceasefire agreement as it stopped firing immediately at midnight, Maj Gen Winthai said. Col Richa Suksuwanon, deputy army spokesperson, said the RTA received reports from the Suranaree Task Force of renewed hostilities during the early hours of July 29. According to these reports, shortly after the ceasefire was supposed to take effect, Cambodian troops launched provocations in the Phu Makheu area of Si Sa Ket, prompting retaliatory fire from Thai troops. The exchange of gunfire continued into the morning. A similar confrontation occurred in the Sam Tae area of Kantharalak district, also in Si Sa Ket, where gunfire reportedly lasted until 5.30am, said Col Richa, adding Cambodian forces also fired explosives throughout the night. In Surin province, the 2nd Army Region reported explosions near the Ta Kwai temple ruins in Phanom Dong Rak district at 3am and again at 5am. Video footage taken by military personnel at 6.29am on Tuesday appeared to capture ongoing gunfire in the background, further corroborating the reported clashes. 11 key sites secured: TCBSAC RAdm Surasan Kongsiri, spokesman for the Thai-Cambodian Border Situation Administration Centre (TCBSAC), said Thai forces had secured 11 key locations along the Thai-Cambodian border as of Tuesday morning. They were Phu Makheu, Chong Arn Ma, Ta Muean Thom, Prasat Ta Kwai, Chong Bok, Don Tuan, Sattasom, Chong Chom, Chong Sai Ta Ku in Ban Kruat district of Buri Ram, Preah Vihear and Phran Yao. He said the conflict resulted in the displacement of over 188,000 civilians, 15 civilian deaths, 12 critically injured, 13 moderately injured and 13 with minor injuries. RAdm Surasan said the TCBSAC also condemned Cambodia for using ancient ruins as shields, and the act was a violation of Unesco guidelines. The 2nd Army Region Tuesday detained 18 surrendering Cambodian soldiers following the clash in the Samtae area of Kantharalak district in Si Sa Ket and upheld humanitarian principles for the care and medical treatment of wounded personnel. Maj Gen Winthai said the incident occurred after Cambodia employed heavy and other weapons, firing into Thai territory. The Thai side deployed the Cavalry Battalion Task Force to conduct counter-operations and clear Cambodian positions. Containing damage: Phumtham Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai blamed the breach of the ceasefire agreement on poor communication or a lack of discipline from the Cambodian side. He said the unconditional ceasefire was agreed to allow for the conflict resolution process to continue, and discussions will be conducted under the bilateral mechanisms of the Regional Border Committee (RBC) and the General Border Committee (GBC).
GMA Network
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- GMA Network
Barbie Forteza, Maris Racal want to work with each other on a project
Barbie Forteza and Maris Racal on a project together? We're seated! On X (formerly Twitter), the two stars expressed mutual interest in working together. Maris saw that Barbie showed support for her recent film in the platform and reposted it with a screenshot of them during their stint on a Netflix digital show last year. "Barbie what if… work tayo," she wrote. In return, the Kapuso Primetime Princess also expressed her interest in working with Maris. "What if... game," she replied. Barbie currently stars in "Beauty Empire" alongside Kyline Alcantara, Ruffa Gutierrez, South Korean actor Choi Bo Min, and more. It airs Mondays to Thursdays at 9:35 p.m. on GMA Network. It is also available on Viu. She also has an horror film "P77," which stands for Penthouse 77, and will premiere in cinemas on July 30. She will star in the film alongside Euwenn Mikaell, Gina Pareño, and Jackie Lou Blanco. —Jade Veronique Yap/MGP, GMA Integrated News
Bangkok Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
UN Security Council calls for de-escalation of clashes
The United Nations Security Council has called on Thailand and Cambodia to exercise maximum restraint, de-escalate tensions, cease hostilities and solve their border dispute through peaceful means. The message was conveyed during a closed-door meeting at UN headquarters in New York on Friday, where all 15 Security Council members, along with Thai and Cambodian representatives, exchanged views on the conflict. 'The Security Council did not adopt any resolution or issue a formal statement, but the overall consensus was clear,' Thai Foreign Affairs Minister Maris Sangiampongsa said on Saturday. 'Members urged both parties to exercise restraint, reduce tensions, cease armed attacks and solve the conflict peacefully through diplomatic and bilateral channels based on good neighbourly principles.' Mr Maris made the comments at a briefing at the ministry in Bangkok, having just returned from New York where he had been attending a forum on sustainable development. He added that Security Council members also expressed support for Asean's role in enabling dialogue under the Asean Charter, and stressed that the conflict does not constitute a threat to international security. He also thanked Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the Asean chair, for his ceasefire proposal, which Thailand supports in principle — provided Cambodia halts its attacks and demonstrates sincerity. 'Cambodia must show evidence of good faith to end this conflict,' Mr Maris said 'We remain open to constructive engagement with Malaysia and other Asean partners. I have been in direct contact with Prime Minister Anwar on this issue.' When asked whether Thailand would consider pursuing legal action against Cambodia at the International Criminal Court (ICC), Mr Maris said the matter was being reviewed by the ministry's Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs. Also at the briefing, Foreign Affairs Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura condemned Cambodia's recent artillery strikes on civilian areas in Buri Ram, Surin, Si Sa Ket and Ubon Ratchathani provinces. As of Saturday, he said, 13 Thai civilians had died with 33 injured from the Cambodian strikes. Seven Thai soldiers have also been killed.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Daily Mirror
'Help me find my missing son's body so I can bury him at home'
Distraught mum Galina is making a heartfelt plea for her son Maris Ile's location so he can be laid to rest on home soil in Latvia alongside his deceased father The mum of a missing man believed to have been murdered has begged for information on her son's whereabouts so he can be buried on home soil. The mother of Maris Ile, 54, has launched a public appeal for information to help find out what happened to her son after he was last seen in November 2024. Maris, a Latvian national, was living in King's Lynn, Norfolk and was in regular contact with his family in Latvia. In March, Norfolk Police launched a no-body murder investigation as enquiries led them to believe that Maris has come to harm. Mum Galina said: "I am begging, if you know something, if you've seen Maris please report it to police." "This is very important to me. If he is no longer alive, then I would like the police to find his body, so he can be cremated and brought back home to Latvia so he could rest on Latvian soil. "So that he could be buried with his father in the cemetery. I would be very grateful if you provide any information to police who are searching for him." Four men and a woman were arrested at addresses in King's Lynn, Norwich and Peterborough on suspicion of murder in connection with Maris' disappearance. All five remain on police bail until September 11, 2025. Forensic tents were observed at the North Lynn allotments during the suspects' arrests as part of the investigation, but they are not thought to have yielded any new leads. While partial human remains were discovered in Walton Highway in May, it has since been confirmed that these did not belong to Maris. Instead, the remains were identified as those of a man in his 30s. Anyone with information about Maris' disappearance who has not yet come forward is urged to contact the Major Investigation Team (MIT) by calling the police non-emergency number 101 and quoting crime reference 36/11508/25. Alternatively, people can submit tips via Norfolk Constabulary's online portal.
ITV News
6 days ago
- ITV News
Mother of missing Latvian worker Maris Ile begs public for information in 'no body' murder case
Listen to the full appeal by Galina Ile The mother of a missing Latvian man has begged the public for help to find her 'caring son' as part of a 'no body' murder investigation. Maris Ile, 54, a Latvian national who was living in King's Lynn and worked in Ely, was reported missing on 23 November 2024. Police say the seasonal worker went to work but never arrived and said numerous inquiries had led them to believe he "has come to harm". In March, Norfolk Police took the unusual step of launching a murder investigation, despite not having found a body. His mother Galina, has now appealed directly to anyone who may have information to come forward. She said, "I am begging for any information, if you know something, if you've seen Maris please report it to police. "This is very important to me. If he is no longer alive, then I want the police to find his body, so he would be cremated and brought back home to Latvia so he could rest on Latvian soil, so that he can be buried with his father in the cemetery." Galina described Maris as a "caring son," who trained as a carpenter and loved motorbikes. In March four men and a woman were . All five remain on police bail until 11 September 2025. Detectives also searched an allotment site as part of the investigation.
