Latest news with #territorialdispute
Russia Today
2 days ago
- Politics
- Russia Today
Thailand accuses Cambodia of ceasefire breach
A ceasefire agreement between Thailand and Cambodia, brokered on Monday to end a deadly border conflict, came under immediate strain overnight as Thai forces accused Cambodia of violating the terms of the truce. The two South Asian nations have been embroiled in a territorial dispute rooted in colonial-era demarcation issues, with tensions flaring in late May and escalating into armed clashes last week. Malaysia played a key role in mediating the agreement to prevent further violence. On Tuesday morning, Thailand's military claimed that its troops had upheld the ceasefire, while Cambodian forces carried out 'disturbances and weapon attacks in multiple areas.' Thai Army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree condemned the alleged breaches and said Thai troops had responded with 'appropriate retaliatory measures under the legitimate right of self-defense.' Cambodia dismissed the accusations. Military spokesperson Maly Socheata said Cambodian troops 'have strictly adhered to the orders and agreements under the ceasefire.' As stipulated in the truce, military commanders from both sides met Tuesday morning, though no details about the outcome were immediately released. A joint border committee is expected to convene next week. Both Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, reiterated their commitment to a peaceful resolution. The clashes claimed at least 37 lives, including civilians, and displaced hundreds of thousands from communities along the contested border. During the ceasefire announcement in Putrajaya, both leaders thanked US President Donald Trump and the Chinese government for their roles in facilitating the agreement. Trump earlier stated that he used trade negotiations with both countries as leverage to push for deescalation.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Old military exercise photo misrepresented as Thailand-Cambodia clashes
A long-standing territorial dispute between Southeast Asian neighbours Thailand and Cambodia erupted into conflict with jets, tanks, and ground troops battling in a rural border region in July 2025. But an image of aircraft supposedly from the fighting was in fact shared by the Thai Royal Air Force weeks earlier in a post about a joint air drill with Indonesia. "Thailand launches AIR STRIKES on Cambodian military targets," reads a post shared July 25, 2025 on X that features the photo. Similar posts also ricocheted on Facebook, Instagram and YouTube as the bloodiest military clashes in more than a decade erupted between Thailand and Cambodia (archived link). At least 35 people have been killed and more than 200,000 displaced since the dramatic escalation in hostilities between the neighbouring countries over their jungle-clad frontier, which is home to a smattering of contested ancient temples. Both sides began discussing a ceasefire on July 28 at the residence of Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim, serving chair of the ASEAN bloc of which Thailand and Cambodia are members. However, a reverse image search of keyframes on Google traced the picture to a Facebook post from the Thai Royal Air Force on June 16, 2025, weeks before fighting started (archived link). "Images of the collaboration between the strong air forces of Thailand and Indonesia through the mixed drills," reads part of the caption, adding that the exercise took place from June 9 to 19. "Both countries' air forces took to the skies above southern Esan," it goes on to say, referring to the northwestern region of Thailand. The Royal Thai Air Force also published a press release on its official website about the conclusion of the joint air drills with Indonesia on June 20, 2025 (archived link). Matching visuals -- including the aircraft images and the logo -- can also be seen in a June 19 article about the joint Thai-Indonesian air drill on a dedicated blog (archived link). AFP has debunked more misinformation on the Thailand-Cambodia dispute here, here and here. Solve the daily Crossword
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
Thailand, Cambodia agree to ‘unconditional' ceasefire
The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an 'unconditional' ceasefire from midnight on Monday to end a deadly border conflict, after talks in Kuala Lumpur that followed mounting pressure from China and the United States, which said the fighting risked derailing trade talks with both nations. Advertisement At least 35 people, most of them civilians, have been killed since Thursday , when a long-simmering territorial dispute boiled over into open conflict along the nations' shared frontier. More than 300,000 people in both countries have been forced from their homes by the relentless gunfights, artillery barrages and Thai air strikes, while tens of thousands of Cambodian migrant labourers have fled Thailand, fearing reprisals as nationalist sentiment intensifies on both sides. Fresh clashes were reported on Monday, even as Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, prepared to meet Cambodia's leader, Hun Manet, in Kuala Lumpur. Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (front) departs for Malaysia from a military airport in Bangkok on Monday. Photo: Thai Government Spokesman Office / AP Phumtham sought to temper hopes of a swift ceasefire, telling reporters as he departed for the Malaysian capital: 'We do not believe Cambodia is acting in good faith, based on their actions.'
CNA
3 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Cambodia and Thai leaders to meet in Malaysia for talks to end deadly border dispute
KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand and Cambodia's leaders are set to meet for peace talks on Monday (Jul 28) afternoon, as a festering territorial dispute along their shared border dragged into a fifth day of open combat. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai departed for Kuala Lumpur earlier on Monday. Malaysia is the current ASEAN chair.
News.com.au
3 days ago
- Politics
- News.com.au
Thailand and Cambodia truce talks due but strikes continue
Thailand and Cambodia's leaders are due to meet for peace talks on Monday, as a festering territorial dispute along their shared frontier dragged into a fifth day of open combat. At least 35 people have been killed and more than 200,000 displaced since Thursday as the countries fight over a smattering of contested ancient temples. In an effort initiated by US President Donald Trump, Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet will meet at 3:00 pm (0700 GMT) in Kuala Lumpur. China is also expected to send a delegation. Ahead of the talks, Thailand and Cambodia traded fresh fire and accusations. "This is the fifth day that Thailand has invaded Cambodia's territory with heavy weapons and with the deployment of a lot of troops to grab Cambodia's land," said defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata. The previous night, Thailand's military said Cambodian snipers were camping in one of the contested temples, and accused Phnom Penh of surging troops along the border and hammering Thai territory with rockets. It said fighting was ongoing at seven areas along the rural border region, marked by a ridge of hills surrounded by wild jungle and agricultural land where locals farm rubber and rice. "The situation remains highly tense, and it is anticipated that Cambodia may be preparing for a major military operation prior to entering negotiations," the Thai military statement read. On Saturday, Trump said he made a late-night call to both leaders, who had agreed to "quickly work out" a truce. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the summit -- which will be mediated by Malaysian leader Anwar Ibrahim -- was also organised "with the participation of China" -- a key trade and political ally. "The purpose of this meeting is to achieve an immediate ceasefire, which was initiated by President Donald Trump and agreed to by both prime ministers of Cambodia and Thailand," Hun Manet said. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that US officials "are on the ground in Malaysia to assist these peace efforts", while Anwar told domestic media he would focus on securing an "immediate ceasefire". - Both sides point the finger - Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn marked his 73rd birthday on Monday, but a notice in the country's Royal Gazette said his public celebrations scheduled for Bangkok's Grand Palace have been cancelled amid the strife. Both Thailand and Cambodia have agreed in principle to a truce -- but accused each other of undermining armistice efforts and of firing first. Trump has threatened both countries with eye-watering levies in his global tariff blitz unless they agree to independent trade deals. "When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!" he wrote on social media. But each side has also blamed the other for undermining peace efforts. The Thai foreign ministry accused Cambodian forces of firing shells into civilian homes in Surin province. "Any cessation of hostilities cannot be reached while Cambodia is severely lacking in good faith," the ministry said. Meanwhile, Cambodia's defence ministry accused Thailand of "deliberate and coordinated acts of aggression". Thailand says eight of its soldiers and 14 civilians have been killed, while Cambodia has confirmed eight civilian and five military deaths. The Thai military said it had returned the bodies of 12 Cambodian soldiers killed in combat. The conflict has forced more than 138,000 people from Thailand's border regions, and 80,000 have been driven from their homes in Cambodia. The Cambodian government has also accused Thai forces of using cluster munitions, while Bangkok has accused Phnom Penh of targeting hospitals. With the conflict enflaming nationalist sentiments, Thailand issued a warning to its citizens to "refrain from any kind of violence, whether in speech or action" against Cambodian migrants living in the country.
