Latest news with #ThaiRoyalThaiArmy
The Star
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Hun Sen warns: Without ICJ, Cambodia/Thai border could become like Gaza
FILE - In this photo released by the Thai Royal Thai Army, Cambodian Chief of Army Mao Sophan, left, meets with Thailand Chief of Army Gen. Pana Claewplodtook, right, at a border checkpoint in Surin province, Thailand, May 29, 2025. - Thai Royal Thai Army via AP PHNOM PENH: Senate President Hun Sen has warned that if the border issues between Cambodia and Thailand are not resolved through the International Court of Justice (ICJ), it could lead to a situation like the one in Gaza, where Israel and Palestine appear to be locked in an endless conflict. Addressing a meeting of the National Assembly and Senate Joint Committee Monday, June 2, Hun Sen said that Cambodia's invitation for Thailand to join the Kingdom in filing a joint case at the ICJ was a respectful way of offering the neighbouring Kingdom a way to resolve the issue diplomatically. If Thailand continues to evade this option, he said, 'it is clear there is something hidden behind the scenes'. He noted that a 2000 memorandum of understanding signed by both countries is no longer viable, as it has been 25 years with no resolution. He also highlighted the fact that a Cambodian soldier was killed in the latest clash. 'If we don't let the court decide, this issue will be like Gaza between Palestine and Israel — never resolved, with constant fighting, whether small or large. Why fear going to court if we are sincere?' he asked. He reiterated that Cambodia has no desire to take anyone else's territory and only seeks to preserve the land borders left by French colonialism and continued under the late King Norodom Sihanouk. Cambodia has already lost vast amounts of territory, he observed. 'What remains is just a handful, and we must protect it,' he added. During the meeting, the National Assembly and Senate Joint Committee unanimously shared their support for the government's decision to take the border issue to the ICJ. Hun Sen also stated that Cambodia will appeal to the UN Security Council for intervention if any fighting erupts. Prime Minister Hun Manet, speaking at the meeting, affirmed that Cambodia is determined to bring the issue to the ICJ, whether Thailand agrees or not. While negotiations through the Joint Border Committee continue, he urged Cambodian politicians and citizens to stand behind the military. 'This is the time for our nation to unite in preparing to defend our country and territorial integrity, especially to stand behind our armed forces. Political differences can be discussed another time, but anything that affects our spirit and territory should be set aside. This is not the time for internal political gains or opposition,' he stated. - The Phnom Penh Post
Yomiuri Shimbun
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Yomiuri Shimbun
Thai and Cambodian Armies Agree to Seek Peaceful Solutions at Disputed Border after Deadly Clash
Thai Royal Thai Army via AP In this photo released by the Thai Royal Thai Army, Cambodian Chief of Army Mao Sophan, left, meets with Thailand Chief of Army Gen. Pana Claewplodtook, right, at a border checkpoint in Surin province, Thailand, Thursday, May 29, 2025. BANGKOK (AP) — The army chiefs of Thailand and Cambodia agreed on Thursday to a withdrawal and to seek a peaceful solution to the disputed border area where a brief clash a day earlier killed one Cambodian soldier, Thai officials said. Cambodian troops were conducting a routine patrol along the border when the Thai side opened fire, Cambodia said Wednesday. The Thai army said that the Cambodian soldiers entered a disputed area and opened fire when Thai soldiers approached to negotiate. The clash lasted about 10 minutes until local commanders spoke to each other and ordered a ceasefire, the Thai army said. Gen. Pana Claewplodtook, the Thai army chief, met with Cambodian counterpart Gen. Mao Sophan at a border checkpoint and expressed his condolences over the death of the Cambodian soldier, Thai army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree said. Winthai said both sides agreed to a withdrawal and will seek peaceful solutions together through special joint committees on border situations between the two countries in the coming weeks. He said that the troops from both sides had already stepped back from the area of the clash to their usual positions. A statement from the Cambodian army that was released later said that the two countries would work together to resolve the situation peacefully. However, the statement said that Cambodia wouldn't 'retreat or stand unarmed at the point of conflict,' although it wasn't clear from which position the army was referring to. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Thursday before the talks that she was confident of a positive development for the border situation, and that both sides agreed that they don't wish for violence. Prime Minister Hun Manet of Cambodia posted on his Facebook that officials of the two countries wanted to prevent further clashes and normalize the situation. But he also said Cambodia has sent troops and weapons as reinforcement to the disputed border. 'I do not want to see any fighting between armies that does not bring any benefits to our two countries and peoples, especially those who are fighting directly on the front lines,' he said. Neighboring Thailand and Cambodia have a long history of land disputes. The most prominent involved the Preah Vihear promontory, an area around a 1,000-year-old temple that was listed as a UNESCO world heritage site in 2008. The U.N.'s International Court of Justice granted sovereignty over the area to Cambodia in 2013. There have been recent border incidents between the two countries, including in February when Cambodian troops and their family members entered an ancient temple along the border and sang the Cambodian national anthem, leading to a brief argument with Thai troops.
