Latest news with #PreahVihear
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thailand and Cambodia still fighting after Trump announces ceasefire talks
Cambodia and Thailand exchanged fire across their disputed border for a fourth day on Sunday, hours after US President Donald Trump announced the two Southeast Asian nations had agreed to ceasefire talks. At least 32 people have been killed and at least 200,000 displaced since Thursday, according to Thai and Cambodian officials, in clashes that have rumbled on despite calls from the United Nations, United States and China for the fighting to stop. Both sides have accused the other of starting the latest border flare-up, and traded blame for the ongoing fighting. Hours after Trump's announcement, Thailand's government on Sunday said it was 'not ready' to stop military operations and accused Cambodia of continuing to fire heavy artillery at civilian areas in its Surin province, on the border, and several other areas. 'Any cessation of hostilities cannot be reached' while Cambodia is 'repeatedly violating the basic principles of human rights and humanitarian law,' Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement. Thailand hit several locations in Cambodia with drones, tank fire, cluster and aerial bombs early Sunday morning local time, a spokesperson for Cambodia's defense ministry told reporters. Some of the projectiles landed near the ancient Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO world heritage site in Cambodia's northern province of the same name, according to Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata. The temple complex has been at the center of previous clashes between the two nations. Cambodia slammed what it said were Thailand's 'deliberate and premeditated acts of aggression.' Those acts 'have occurred despite ongoing efforts led by President Donald Trump to seek a ceasefire, efforts that have been publicly and clearly supported by Hun Manet, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Cambodia,' Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata said. 'Our forces are still striking back actively and are not afraid to protect the territory,' Maly Socheata said. The state-run National Broadcasting Services of Thailand (NBT) reported that Cambodian forces had fired artillery into the Thai border province of Surin, west of Preah Vihear, damaging residential homes. Thai forces were responding, it reported. Thailand on Sunday said 19 people have been killed since hostilities began, mostly civilians. There are more than 138,000 from six provinces displaced and staying in government shelters, according to the Ministry of Public Health. Cambodia said Saturday that in Oddar Meanchey province, which borders Thailand's Surin, 13 people had been killed, including eight civilians, and 50 wounded. At least 80,000 people in Cambodia have been displaced by the fighting, according to the defense ministry. Trump diplomacy President Trump said Saturday that he had spoken with both Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Prime Minister of Thailand Phumtham Wechayachai in his efforts to restore peace. 'They have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!' Trump wrote on Truth Social in a series of posts outlining his diplomatic efforts, but offering no details on the negotiations. Trump said he had warned Hun Manet and Phumtham that he would not make trade deals with either country if the deadly border conflict continues. 'They are also looking to get back to the 'Trading Table' with the United States, which we think is inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting STOPS,' Trump wrote. Earlier this month, Trump wrote letters to Thailand and Cambodia threatening a 36% tariff on most of their exports to the US, starting August 1. Cambodia and Thailand both delivered substantial offers to their US counterparts in an effort to move to the front of the line for a trade agreement, officials said at the time. In the early hours of Sunday morning local time, Hun Manet thanked Trump and said that Cambodia agreed with 'the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces.' He added that he had previously agreed to a ceasefire proposal from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. A statement from Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs was more measured, saying it wished to see 'sincere intention from the Cambodian side' – but that Phumtham had also 'requested President Trump to convey …that Thailand wants to convene a bilateral dialogue as soon as possible to bring forth measures and procedures for the ceasefire and the eventual peaceful resolution of the conflict.' Bangkok and Phnom Penh have been fighting over territory disputed since colonial power France drew the border between them more than a century ago. The renewed deadly conflict pits longtime US ally Thailand, with decades of experience, against Cambodia's relatively young armed force, which has close ties to China. The United Nations has condemned the violence, with Secretary General António Guterres urging in a post on X for 'both sides to immediately agree to a ceasefire and to address any issues through dialogue.'
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Trump helps mediate Thailand, Cambodia border dispute with trade talk
"Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace," Trump said. More than 30 people have been killed and 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the countries in 13 years. Both sides said they acted in self defense in the border dispute. Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various points along the land border. Ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear are central to the disputes. The two countries have faced off since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish. Troops on both sides of the border were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. Trump has threatened both countries with 36% tariffs but said trade talks will stall without a ceasefire. "When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!" Trump said. Contributing: Reuters
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Why are Thailand and Cambodia going to war?
On Thursday, violence broke out on the border between Thailand and Cambodia as long-simmering tensions between the two nations imploded. At least 11 Thai civilians have been killed, with Thailand deploying F-16 fighter jets and Cambodia calling for a UN Security Council meeting. Here's what you need to know about the conflict. Why are Thailand and Cambodia fighting? The disputes boil down to differing interpretations of colonial-era maps drawn more than a century ago by the French – who once colonised Cambodia – and by Siam (modern-day Thailand). The maps had conflicting delineations of the 508-mile border, particularly around a series of important ancient temples. The ambiguity led to a legal battle at the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in 1962, which ruled that the 11th-century temple Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia. While a disgruntled Thailand withdrew from the temple itself, it continued to maintain a claim on the surrounding area. But in 2008, tensions flared again when Cambodia sought to register the ancient temple as a Unesco World Heritage Site, prompting strong objections from Thailand. Small skirmishes and a renewed war of words followed, with clashes between the countries killing 20 people and displacing thousands. In 2011, Cambodia returned to the ICJ, which again ruled in its favour. However, the court did not rule on all of the disputed zones and, in turn, Thailand rejected the court's jurisdiction. 'Cambodia won at the ICJ and Thailand has been very unhappy about it ever since,' Phil Robertson, a Bangkok-based analyst and director of Asia Human Rights and Labour Advocates, told The Telegraph.. 'There are antiques [in the temples], and there are issues of cross-border trade – there have always been issues. 'Neither side wants to be seen giving away an inch of territory to the other,' he added. 'It's like political suicide.' What caused the most recent clash? Violence in the region had largely subsided since 2013, but tensions flared again in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed during a skirmish on the border. Relations have slowly deteriorated since, in what has become a tit-for-tat dispute. Despite both countries saying they had agreed to de-escalate, both sides have amassed troops on the border. Credit: Viral Press via Reuters Connect Last week, three Thai soldiers were injured, with one losing their foot, when a landmine in a contested area exploded. Thailand accused Cambodia of recently deploying the mines, saying the Russian-made devices were not part of its arsenal. Cambodia denied the 'baseless' accusations, stating that the unexploded ordnance were remnants of 20th-century wars. On Wednesday, five more Thai soldiers were wounded by an explosion, with one losing a leg. In response, Thailand closed all of its northeastern land crossings with Cambodia, withdrew its ambassador from Phnom Penh, and expelled the Cambodian ambassador in Bangkok. Early on Thursday, Cambodia responded in kind, announcing that it had expelled the Thai ambassador and recalled all Cambodian staff from its Bangkok embassy. The country also declared that diplomatic relations with Thailand had been downgraded to the lowest level. Cambodia has also banned Thai movies and TV shows, stopped the import of Thai fuel, fruits and vegetables, and boycotted some of its neighbour's international internet links and power supply. What has happened so far on Thursday? On Thursday morning, clashes broke out along the Thai-Cambodian border, with much of the fighting centred around a 1,000-year-old Khmer-Hindu temple called Prasat Ta Moan Thom. Both sides accused the other of opening fire first. According to reports, shots were heard at around 8.20am from an area about 200 meters east of Prasat Ta Muen Thom. Thai soldiers said they had earlier detected the sound of a drone and spotted six armed Cambodian soldiers. Ongoing clashes have since been reported in at least six locations along the disputed border. According to the Thai army, at least 11 civilians have been killed and several others injured. It also reported that the Cambodian army fired two BM-21 rockets at the Thai province of Surin. Some 40,000 people from 86 villages have been evacuated. Meanwhile, Cambodian authorities said Thai gunfire had struck two provinces. A spokesperson said: 'At 8.46am today, Thai invading forces pre-emptively opened fire on Cambodian troops ... They also used fighter jets to drop two bombs on the road to Wat Keo Sikkha Kirisvara, where Cambodian forces are stationed to defend the nation's territorial integrity.' Thailand has also deployed F-16 fighter jets to strike a pair of military targets in Cambodia. The Royal Thai Air Force confirmed that all aircraft have returned safely. Could this escalate into a full-blown war? Most analysts believe that prolonged conflict is unlikely, as previous exchanges of fire have all dissipated relatively quickly. However, they note that events over the last few months have fanned nationalist sentiment at home, especially in Thailand, where the dispute has had major political ramifications. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, Thailand's prime minister, was suspended after leaked audio of a call with Hun Sen, the Cambodian de facto leader. In the call, Paetongtarn criticised her own military and kowtowed to the Cambodian, calling him 'uncle'. The two families, both political dynasties, had previously been considered close. Now, the scandal threatens the Shinawatra clan's three decades of dominance of Thai politics. It also means that the Thai government fears being seen as weak, according to analysts. 'With Thai soldiers wounded by Cambodian landmines in apparent violation of the Ottawa Treaty, and now with the latest reports of injured Thai civilians and fatalities, the pressure on Thai political as well as military leaders is mounting,' said Tita Sanglee, a Thai-based associate fellow at the ISEAS–Yusof Ishak Institute, a think tank in Singapore. 'Continued restraint may no longer be viable as it risks escalating a crisis of public trust. So, as things stand, I don't see de-escalation coming soon. The real question is how far the fighting might go,' she said. Mr Robertson added: 'I don't see either side interested in compromising at this point… I think the fight is on. Unless there's some sort of mediation, I don't think either side wants to give any leeway to the other. The Thai government is already facing problems connected to the phone call with Hun Sen… so they can't be seen as weak.' He also said that Hun Sen may also be using the situation to boost his son, who has so far largely struggled to step out of his father's shadow. It may also prove a distraction from a struggling economy at home. 'I think Hun Sen is whipping it up, in part, to create an atmosphere so his son can become a wartime leader,' Mr Robertson said. China, which has influence in both countries, has expressed deep concern about the developments and hopes that both sides will address issues through dialogue and consultations. The foreign spokesperson also said China intends to play a constructive role in promoting peace. Europe, America or ASEAN – a regional bloc of 11 southeast Asian countries – may also intervene to encourage both sides to de-escalate. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Thai-Cambodian clash hits third day despite ceasefire calls
STORY: :: Hundreds of Cambodians register at makeshift refugee camps as clashes with Thailand extend into a third day :: July 26, 2025 :: Preah Vihear, Cambodia :: Oddar Meanchey, Cambodia Military trucks carrying objects covered by tarpaulin and guarded by soldiers were also seen driving in Oddar Meanchey. Reuters could not verify the reason for military truck movement or the exact number of trucks. More than 30 people have been killed and over 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbors in 13 years. Thailand has currently closed all crossings along its 508 mile land border with Cambodia, with exceptions only for medical emergencies. Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various undemarcated points along their land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes.
Al Jazeera
4 days ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Death toll in Thailand-Cambodia border clashes hits 32, dozens wounded
Cambodian officials have reported another 12 people killed as a result of the ongoing border dispute with Thailand, with the death toll on both sides now standing at 32, as fears grow that the Southeast Asian neighbours may become engulfed in an extended conflict. Cambodian Ministry of National Defence spokesperson Maly Socheata told reporters on Saturday that seven more civilians and five soldiers were confirmed dead. One other Cambodian man was earlier reported killed when Thai rockets hit the Buddhist pagoda he was hiding in on Thursday. Thailand has reported 13 civilians – including children – as well as six soldiers killed over the past two days of fighting. An additional 29 Thai soldiers and 30 civilians have also been wounded in Cambodian attacks. Cambodian newspaper The Khmer Times, quoting officials in Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, said about 20,000 residents have so far been evacuated from the country's northern border with Thailand. More than 138,000 people have also been evacuated from Thailand's border regions, with about 300 evacuation centres opened, according to Thai officials. On Friday, Thailand declared martial law in eight districts along the border with Cambodia. The decades-old conflict – centred around a contested section of the Thai-Cambodian border – re-erupted on Thursday after a landmine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Tensions spilled over on Thursday with Thailand and Cambodia carrying out direct attacks on one another's territory, with both sides accusing the other of opening fire first. Thailand said the Cambodian military launched long-range rockets at civilian targets in the country, including a strike on a petrol station that killed at least six people. The Thai military then scrambled an F-16 fighter jet to bomb targets in Cambodia, including the reported strike on the Buddhist pagoda, which resulted in one civilian casualty. Cambodia has accused Thailand of using a large number of cluster munitions – a controversial and widely condemned weapon – calling it a clear violation of international law. Phumtham Wechayachai, Thailand's acting prime minister, said on Friday that Cambodia may be guilty of war crimes due to the deaths of civilians, as well as damage caused to a hospital. The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held an emergency meeting focused on the clashes behind closed doors late on Friday in New York, but did not issue an official public statement after the meeting. The Associated Press news agency, citing an unnamed council diplomat, reported that all 15 UNSC members called on the parties to de-escalate fighting, show restraint and resolve the dispute peacefully.
