Latest news with #Thailand-CambodiaBorderSituation
Bangkok Post
4 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
50 envoys to get briefing on landmine breaches
Thailand will on Friday brief more than 50 diplomats from signatories and member states of the Ottawa Convention on repeated landmine incidents along the Thai-Cambodian border, emphasising Phnom Penh's refusal to cooperate in demining operations. The briefing comes ahead of site visits scheduled for tomorrow. Thailand will present documented evidence of mine-related incidents to the international community and push for stronger pressure on Phnom Penh to end the repeated use of anti-personnel landmines, said government spokesman Jirayu Houngsub, speaking on behalf of the government's Ad-Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation. "The use of anti-personnel landmines is a serious breach of the Ottawa Convention, as well as basic humanitarian principles," he said. In a bid to increase international scrutiny, Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has invited over 50 diplomatic missions, primarily from countries that are signatories to the Ottawa Convention, to visit the affected provinces of Ubon Ratchathani and Si Sa Ket tomorrow. The delegation will be briefed by Thai demining teams operating in the border zone and taken to inspect mine clearance activities at Phu Makua, as well as damage sites at Ban Nong Mek and Phum Saron Witthaya School in Si Sa Ket's Kantharalak district, said Mr Jirayu. Ahead of the planned field visit tomorrow, Thailand will today host a closed-door briefing for foreign ambassadors and military attachés in Bangkok to outline its position and share details of recent incidents, he said. Russ Jalichandra, vice minister for foreign affairs, said the move follows a fresh incident on Tuesday, in which Thai paramilitary forces encountered Cambodian-laid mines while patrolling near Chong Chub-Tamok in Surin's Phanom Dong Rak district, about which formal protests have been lodged through diplomatic channels. The Cambodian government has been urged to cooperate immediately. Mr Russ also revealed that Cambodia rejected Thailand's proposal during previous General Border Committee (GBC) meetings to jointly remove landmines from disputed zones. "This refusal shows a lack of sincerity and undermines regional peace efforts. It also violates the United Nations Charter and the Ottawa Convention," he said. The Royal Thai Armed Forces have confirmed that an Interim Observer Team, composed of military representatives from neutral countries, will conduct independent inspections between Aug 18–20, said Mr Jirayu. Thailand's Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Foreign Affairs are also coordinating with international mine clearance organisations to evaluate whether humanitarian support to Cambodia should be reassessed in light of Phnom Penh's perceived non-cooperation, said Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura. He also took aim at Cambodia's domestic information controls, accusing its government of suppressing public access to external media, particularly Thai news outlets. "Cambodian citizens are not the enemy. But they are being denied their right to independent information. The spread of misinformation and fake news by Cambodian state media infringes on previous GBC ceasefire agreements, which committed both sides to reducing tensions," Mr Nikorndej said. He also called on Cambodia to allow open access to global news sources so its citizens "can form their own judgements based on facts". The Thailand-Cambodia Regional Border Committee (RBC) will meet tomorrow to discuss the implementation of the 13-point ceasefire agreement reached on Aug 7 in Malaysia. It will also discuss clearing landmines in disputed areas and cracking down on cross-border scam gangs, said Capt Pharis Wongpensri, commander of the Royal Thai Marine Corps' Trat Task Force.
The Star
5 days ago
- Politics
- The Star
Thai Army maintains stronghold along Thai-Cambodian border, ready to respond to any incursion
BANGKOK: Thailand maintains security along its border with Cambodia, continuing to deploy troops and razor wire while addressing landmine threats and urging Cambodia's compliance. Jirayu Huangsub (pic), spokesman for the Prime Minister's Office and member of the Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, provided an update on the situation along the Thai-Cambodian border in the seven provinces from 6pm on Aug 13 until 7am aUG 14. The Thai Army continues to maintain strong defensive positions across 11 areas in seven provinces, with ongoing deployment of razor wire to protect Thailand's sovereignty. The army is ready to respond immediately to any breach of Thai territory, no matter how small, said Jirayu. He added that explosive ordnance disposal units have also detected a continued presence of landmines, which have been illegally placed in Thai sovereign territory by Cambodian forces. This constitutes a violation of the ceasefire agreement and a clear breach of the Ottawa Treaty, which prohibits the use of anti-personnel mines. Such actions are a serious violation of international law, and the Thai government will take the matter up with the Ottawa Treaty Committee to pursue further actions against Cambodia. The Thai government is calling on Cambodia to accept the two ceasefire terms that Thailand proposed on Aug 7, 2025 in Malaysia, which include: Addressing issues related to call centre gangs, human trafficking, and drug trade; Assisting in the removal of landmines. Regarding the return of citizens to their hometowns, the process is proceeding smoothly. In case of any incidents, the government will issue immediate updates through local authorities and the military. The Thai government has urged the public to verify news through official channels, as false reports have circulated, falsely claiming that evacuation orders have been issued. 'The government confirms that there are no emergencies. Returning citizens can continue with their lives as normal. If any suspicious objects are found, please report them to the authorities immediately,' said Jirayu. - The Nation/ANN
Bangkok Post
6 days ago
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thailand urges Cambodia to stop using landmines
The Thai government has urged Cambodia to stop using landmines in border areas in order to protect people, including Cambodian citizens, from further harm. Concern is growing about the number of landmines laid in border areas, as Cambodia has rejected Thailand's requests to participate in mine clearance, said Rear Adm Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman for the government's Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation. 'Cambodian soldiers are laying a considerable number of landmines,' he said on Wednesday. 'Landmines threaten not only military and security personnel but also fellow citizens of both countries.' Thailand has asked the Asean Regional Mine Action Center (Armac) to support landmine clearance along the border in order to restore safety as soon as possible, he said, adding that the Armac director was a Cambodian. Thirteen Thai soldiers have been injured, with five of them each losing a leg, in five explosions of Cambodian-laid landmines since July 16. Rear Adm Surasant said Thai soldiers would use technology to protect themselves from landmines during their patrols. He also said that Cambodia was strengthening its positions along the border but the movement has happened at an acceptable distance, in compliance with the countries' ceasefire agreement.
Bangkok Post
08-08-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Thailand appoints actress Panadda to counter Cambodia's defence spokeswoman
Thailand has picked Panadda Wongphudee️ to be a spokeswoman for the Ad Hoc Centre for the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation with a clear assignment to counterattack what Thai authorities call "fake news" from the neighbouring country. Deputy Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit on Friday officially introduced Ms Panadda as an ad-hoc spokeswoman for the centre, as it needed a woman to swiftly respond to all statements made by Lt Gen Maly Socheata, Cambodia's National Defence Ministry spokeswoman. "Let me make this straight forward. This appointment is to counter Lt Gen Maly," the deputy minister told reporters at Government House. Thai officials have felt frustrated with the work of Lt Gen Maly, who has been considered a key person assigned by the Cambodian government to send fake news to the international community to woo support for Cambodia and damage Thailand's reputation. She has been the face of the Cambodian National Defence Ministry since the two countries started the five-day border clashes beginning on July 24. The armed fighting has ended, but Thailand and Cambodia reached a ceasefire agreement on July 28. The introduction of Ms Panadda to the public was made one day after the General Border Committee meeting in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where the two countries reiterated pledges to restore peace at their border. It illustrates that a war of words between Thailand and Cambodia could not be easily over, although the two neighbours have agreed to a ceasefire. "At least I am confident that we hold one advantage over Cambodia: she is more beautiful," Gen Nattaphon said, referring to Ms Panadda, 49. The deputy minister said the spokeswoman for the Thai centre is a former Miss Thailand, 'but the spokeswoman of the Cambodian National Defence Ministry is not." Gen Nattaphon said Thai security authorities will supply her with information to counter Cambodia on her online platforms. Ms Panadda was crowned Miss Thailand in 2000. She has played multiple roles as a famous actress, influencer and social activist. She said she decided to take the role from the armed forces so she could spread accurate information from Thailand to the public and global audiences after seeing people affected by the clashes and the patience of Thai soldiers protecting Thai soil at the border. "The armed forces agreed in a meeting that I was the most suitable spokeswoman who can confront the one from Cambodia. So, I took the offer," she said of her decision. The armed clashes killed 14 civilians and 15 soldiers on the Thai side. Fifty-three people and 230 soldiers were injured.
Bangkok Post
06-08-2025
- Politics
- Bangkok Post
Troops will stay: army
As the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) meets on Thursday in Malaysia to de-escalate border tensions, the Second Army Region is adamant troops will not be withdrawn from 11 key sites along the border, regardless of the meeting's outcome. Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the Second Army Region responsible for the northeastern provinces bordering Cambodia, said Thai forces remain stationed in areas including Chong Aan Mah in Ubon Ratchathani and Phu Makua in Si Sa Ket. These areas are within Thai sovereign territory. 'We will not retreat. Barbed wire fences and troops have been deployed to prevent incursions. 'We're within Thai territory and aren't encroaching on any foreign land,' he said when talking about Cambodia's call for troop withdrawal from Chong Aan Mah. Lt Gen Boonsin expressed hope Thursday's GBC meeting would help maintain peace but said the army stands firm in its decision to hold positions. Meanwhile, the Ad Hoc Centre on the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation said a preliminary agreement on an eight-point plan discussed by the GBC earlier was reached by the cabinet and National Security Council (NSC) on Wednesday. Deputy Prime Minister and acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Wednesday chaired the NSC meeting to finalise the eight-point proposal for Thursday's bigger GBC meeting with the Thai delegation led by Deputy Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit. The proposal included a mutual ceasefire in disputed zones; civilian protection; no increase in troop numbers or armaments; a freeze on movements of stationed troops; arrangements for the injured or bodies; a joint coordination team; adjustments to deployments; and formalisation of policy if agreements are adopted. Speaking before the NSC meeting, Gen Nattaphon said a consensus was reached on the proposal but details would be clarified later to confirm whether they were in accordance with the NSC's framework. When asked about ceasefire violations by Cambodian forces, Gen Nattaphon said Cambodia appeared sincere in its intention to uphold the ceasefire as shown in the preliminary agreement reached at the secretary-general level. 'The next level will be on Aug 7 when the defence ministers from both sides meet. That meeting will test Cambodia's sincerity at the ministerial level. The final and most important level is the Cambodia will truly adhere to what has been agreed,' he said. The GBC meeting would also focus on the sustainability of the ceasefire agreement while other issues including compensation for civilian damages and territory claims would be addressed at the Joint Border Commission (JBC). Rear Adm Surasant Kongsiri, spokesman for the Ad Hoc Centre on the Thailand-Cambodia Border Situation, said agreements reached by the GBC's working group were not final. He said the agreements had to go before the NSC and the cabinet meeting for endorsement before the GBC's main meeting on Thursday. Rear Adm Surasant said the overall border situation remained calm, with some reinforced military posts but no troop buildup. However, increased drone activity was detected. He said a nationwide civilian drone ban remains in effect until Aug 15, though authorities may relax restrictions for agricultural drones of which use will be limited to between 6am and 6pm under a registration scheme. No clashes had occurred following an incident in which Cambodian forces attempted to cut through Thai barbed wire at Chong Aan Mah, and the barriers had since been restored. Maratee Nalita Andamo, deputy spokeswowan of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said the ministry will brief Thai ambassadors and diplomats abroad on Thursday via a virtual meeting on its stance. She said Thailand initiated contact with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to arrange for a visit to the 18 detained Cambodian soldiers to demonstrate Thailand's adherence to international humanitarian standards. She added the ministry would continue to work with both the ICRC's regional office in Bangkok and its Geneva headquarters to maintain transparency regarding Thailand's conduct.
