Latest news with #SolidarityMarch
The Star
9 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodians rally over Thai border spat as leaders row over leaked call
A massive crowd joined a 'Solidarity March' to support Cambodia's government and troops stationed on the border with Thailand. - Photo: AFP PHNOM PENH: Tens of thousands of Cambodians took part Wednesday (June 18) in a government rally over a border spat with Thailand, as a leaked phone call between leaders triggered a fresh row. A massive crowd led by Deputy Prime Minister Hun Many -- Prime Minister Hun Manet's youngest brother -- joined a "Solidarity March" to support Cambodia's government and troops stationed on the border with Thailand. Singing patriotic songs and flourishing Cambodian flags and portraits of Hun Manet and his father, former leader Hun Sen, supporters marched to the Independence Monument in the heart of the capital. One Cambodian soldier was killed on May 28 as troops exchanged fire in a disputed area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet. Despite weekend talks between the two sides, the stand-off shows little sign of abating, and on Wednesday a new spat blew up after a recording of a call on Sunday between Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was leaked online. Paetongtarn accused Hun Sen of deliberately leaking a private conversation and said he had damaged trust between the two sides. "It is clear now that his intention was to gain domestic popularity, without caring about the effect on international relations," she told reporters in Bangkok. "We talked for peace without realising that it would be used as part of his plan to boost his popularity." Carrying Cambodian flags and portraits of Mr Hun Manet and his father, former leader Hun Sen, supporters marched to the Independence Monument in the heart of the capital. - Photo: AFP Hun Sen stepped down in 2023 after ruling Cambodia with an iron fist for nearly four decades, but he still wields considerable influence with his son's government. He insisted he had not leaked the nine-minute recording that was posted online, but said he had shared it with "approximately 80 individuals" including lawmakers, party officials and members of the armed forces. Later Hun Sen posted the full 17-minute recording on his official Facebook page. In the recording posted online, the two leaders discuss restrictions imposed on border crossings after the border clash, as well as troop deployments. - Fruit and veg ban - Hun Many told the crowd in Phnom Penh that the march was "an encouragement and additional energy for the government and our forces." "When the country faces a threat or any insult, the Cambodian people will not stay still, we will stand up in united spirit," he said. Cambodia has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to help resolve the border dispute in four areas -- the site of last month's clash and three ancient temples. The standoff has led to Cambodia on Tuesday banning imports of Thai fruit and vegetables after Bangkok refused to lift border crossing restrictions imposed in recent days. People taking part in a solidarity march in Phnom Penh to suport the Cambodian government's actions in its recent border dispute with Thailand, on June 18. - Photo: AFP And last week Cambodia banned Thai dramas from TV and cinemas, as well as closing a popular border checkpoint, and cutting internet bandwidth from Thailand. Hun Manet said Tuesday evening he wanted to maintain "peace and good cooperation" with Thailand. "Filing a complaint at the ICJ to resolve the dispute peacefully is our best option to keep friendship and good cooperation with Thailand," he said. Thai foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura reiterated Bangkok's view that the two sides should resolve the matter together, rather than at the ICJ. "Thailand remains to committed to use the bilateral mechanism to resolve border issues with Cambodia with sincerity and in good faith," he told reporters. "This is in line with an international norms and practices." The border row dates back to the drawing of the countries' 800-kilometre (500-mile) frontier in the early 20th century during the French occupation of Indochina. Violence sparked by the dispute has led to at least 28 deaths in the region since 2008. - AFP
The Sun
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Cambodian govt musters support from huge crowds in Thai border row
PHNOM PENH: Tens of thousands of Cambodians took to the streets of Phnom Penh on Wednesday for an official rally to support the government's actions in its recent border dispute with Thailand. A massive crowd led by Deputy Prime Minister Hun Many -- Prime Minister Hun Manet's youngest brother -- joined a 'Solidarity March' to support Cambodia's government and troops stationed on the border with Thailand. Singing patriotic songs and flourishing Cambodian flags and portraits of Hun Manet and his father, former leader Hun Sen, supporters marched to the Independence Monument in the heart of the capital. One Cambodian soldier was killed on May 28 as troops exchanged fire in a disputed area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet. The Thai and Cambodian armies both said they acted in self-defence. Hun Many told the crowd that the march was 'an encouragement and additional energy for the government and our forces.' 'When the country faces a threat or any insult, the Cambodian people will not stay still, we will stand up in united spirit,' he said. Cambodia has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to help resolve the border dispute in four areas -- the site of last month's clash and three ancient temples. Cambodian leaders have repeatedly said the move was to prevent further military clashes. Long-running row Hun Manet said Tuesday evening he wanted to maintain 'peace and good cooperation' with Thailand. 'Filing a complaint at the ICJ to resolve the dispute peacefully is our best option to keep friendship and good cooperation with Thailand,' he said. The two sides held talks in Phnom Penh at the weekend, which Thailand said had made progress, but the row shows little sign of dying down. Cambodia on Tuesday banned imports of Thai fruit and vegetables after Bangkok refused to lift border crossing restrictions imposed in recent days. Cambodia last week banned Thai dramas from TV and cinemas, closed a popular border checkpoint, and cut internet bandwidth from Thailand. Hun Manet said Tuesday that a return to normality depended on the Thai authorities. 'The ball is in the hands of (the) Thai side, Thai military,' he added. Thailand says it wants a negotiated solution and has urged Cambodia to stop 'unofficial' communication -- an apparent reference to fiery interventions by Hun Sen, who stepped down in 2023 but still wields great influence. The border row dates back to the drawing of the countries' 800-kilometre (500-mile) frontier in the early 20th century during the French occupation of Indochina. Cambodia has previously sought help from the ICJ in a territorial dispute over a border temple. In 1962, the court ruled that the disputed Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia, and in 2013, the ICJ awarded an area next to the temple to Cambodia as well. Thailand said it did not accept the court's jurisdiction. Violence sparked by the dispute has led to at least 28 deaths in the region since 2008.
The Star
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thousands of Cambodians join government rally as border dispute with Thailand intensifies
Cambodians hold national flags and a portrait of Cambodia's Hun Sen as they attend a "Solidarity March" to support the government's decision to deploy the army at the disputed Thailand-Cambodia border, following a clash at the border on May 28, 2025, in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, June 18, 2025. REUTERS/Chantha Lach BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH (Reuters) -Thousands of Cambodians joined a state-organised march in its capital on Wednesday to support the government in an ongoing border dispute with Thailand triggered by the death of a Cambodian soldier last month. The two neighbours share an 820-km (510-mile) land border, parts of which are undemarcated and include ancient temples that both sides have contested for decades. The rally comes days after officials held talks in Phnom Penh in a bid to ease tensions. Though talks were inconclusive, both sides pledge to continue dialogue. Marchers shouted slogans, waved the Cambodian flag and held portraits of the Prime Minister Hun Manet and his father,the influential former Prime Minister Hun Sen. Monks and students were seen at the rally, led by deputy premier Hun Many, the prime minister's brother. "Cambodia's land! We won't take others' land, we keep our land!" some chanted. On Wednesday, Cambodia's defence ministry said that Thailand had again violated its sovereignty. "Thailand has increased activities in the area, including drone flights, trench digging, and troop deployments along the border,"the statement said. Thailand rejected the accusation. "These trenches are located well within Thai sovereign territory, and therefore, we refute any allegation that we violated the MOU 2000," foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said, referring to a memorandum of understanding signed in 2000 aimed at resolving border disputes. "Thailand has not increased activities in the area along the border," he added. Although both governments have pledged to calm nationalist fervour and handle the issue through dialogue, Bangkok has tightened its borders and threatened to cut off electricity supplies to its neighbour. Phnom Penh announced it would cease buying Thai electric power, internet bandwidth and produce. It has also ordered local television stations not to screen Thai films. On the weekend, Cambodiasaid it had brought the four disputed areas to the International Court of Justice. Thailand has repeatedly said it does not recognise the court's jurisdiction and would only use bilateral mechanisms, with the next meeting slated for September. Cambodia has twice successfully sought ICJ resolutions, in 1962 on the ownership of the disputed 11th-century Hindu Preah Vihear temple and in 2013, after it sought clarification of jurisdiction of the land around the temple. Tensions escalated in 2008 over Preah Vihear, leading to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, some during a week-long exchange of artillery in 2011. Both countries have for more than a century contested sovereignty at undemarcated points along their shared border, which was mapped by France in 1907 when Cambodia was its colony. (Reporting by Chayut Setboonsarng and Panu Wongcha-um in Bangkok and Chantha Lach in Phnom Penh; Editing by David Stanway)
Straits Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Cambodian govt musters support from huge crowds in Thai border row
A massive crowd joined a 'Solidarity March' to support Cambodia's government and troops stationed on the border with Thailand. PHOTO: AFP PHNOM PENH - Tens of thousands of Cambodians took to the streets of Phnom Penh on June 18 for an official rally to support the government's actions in its recent border dispute with Thailand. A massive crowd led by Deputy Prime Minister Hun Many – Prime Minister Hun Manet's youngest brother – joined a 'Solidarity March' to support Cambodia's government and troops stationed on the border with Thailand. Flourishing Cambodian flags and portraits of Mr Hun Manet and his father, former leader Hun Sen, supporters marched to the Independence Monument in the heart of the capital. One Cambodian soldier was killed on May 28 as troops exchanged fire in a disputed area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet. The Thai and Cambodian armies both said they acted in self-defence. People take part in a solidarity march organised in support of the Cambodian government's actions in its recent border dispute with Thailand, in Phnom Penh, on June 18. PHOTO: AFP Cambodia has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to help resolve the border dispute in four areas – the site of last month's clash and three ancient temples. Cambodian leaders have repeatedly said the move was to prevent further military clashes. Mr Hun Manet said June 17 evening that he wanted to maintain 'peace and good cooperation' with Thailand. 'Filing a complaint at the ICJ to resolve the dispute peacefully is our best option to keep friendship and good cooperation with Thailand,' he said. Cambodia on June 17 banned imports of Thai fruit and vegetables after Bangkok refused to lift border crossing restrictions imposed in recent days. Cambodia has also banned Thai dramas from TV and cinemas, closed a popular border checkpoint, and cut internet bandwidth from Thailand. Flourishing Cambodian flags and portraits of Mr Hun Manet and his father, former leader Hun Sen, supporters marched to the Independence Monument in the heart of the capital. PHOTO: AFP Mr Hun Manet said June 17 that a return to normality depended on the Thai authorities. 'The ball is in the hands of (the) Thai side, Thai military,' he added. Thailand says it wants a negotiated solution and has urged Cambodia to stop 'unofficial' communication – an apparent reference to fiery interventions by Mr Hun Sen, who stepped down in 2023 but still wields great influence. The border row dates back to the drawing of the countries' 800km frontier in the early 20th century during the French occupation of Indochina. Cambodia has previously sought help from the ICJ in a territorial dispute over a border temple. In 1962, the court ruled that the disputed Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia, and in 2013, the ICJ awarded an area next to the temple to Cambodia as well. Thailand said it did not accept the court's jurisdiction. Violence sparked by the dispute has led to at least 28 deaths in the region since 2008. AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
CNA
a day ago
- Politics
- CNA
Cambodian government musters support from huge crowds in Thai border row
PHNOM PENH: Tens of thousands of Cambodians took to the streets of Phnom Penh on Wednesday (Jun 18) for an official rally to support the government's actions in its recent border dispute with Thailand. A massive crowd led by Deputy Prime Minister Hun Many - Prime Minister Hun Manet's youngest brother - joined a "Solidarity March" to support Cambodia's government and troops stationed on the border with Thailand. Flourishing Cambodian flags and portraits of Hun Manet and his father, former leader Hun Sen, supporters marched to the Independence Monument in the heart of the capital. One Cambodian soldier was killed on May 28 as troops exchanged fire in a disputed area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet. The Thai and Cambodian armies both said they acted in self-defence. Cambodia has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ) to help resolve the border dispute in four areas - the site of last month's clash and three ancient temples. Cambodian leaders have repeatedly said the move was to prevent further military clashes. Hun Manet said Tuesday evening that he wanted to maintain "peace and good cooperation" with Thailand. "Filing a complaint at the ICJ to resolve the dispute peacefully is our best option to keep friendship and good cooperation with Thailand," he said. Cambodia on Tuesday banned imports of Thai fruit and vegetables after Bangkok refused to lift border crossing restrictions imposed in recent days. Cambodia has also banned Thai dramas from TV and cinemas, closed a popular border checkpoint, and cut internet bandwidth from Thailand. Hun Manet said Tuesday that a return to normality depended on the Thai authorities. "The ball is in the hands of (the) Thai side, Thai military," he added. Thailand says it wants a negotiated solution and has urged Cambodia to stop "unofficial" communication - an apparent reference to fiery interventions by Hun Sen, who stepped down in 2023 but still wields great influence. The border row dates back to the drawing of the countries' 800km frontier in the early 20th century during the French occupation of Indochina. Cambodia has previously sought help from the ICJ in a territorial dispute over a border temple. In 1962, the court ruled that the disputed Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia, and in 2013, the ICJ awarded an area next to the temple to Cambodia as well. Thailand said it did not accept the court's jurisdiction.
