Thai military prepared for ‘high-level operation' if Cambodia border row escalates
BANGKOK - Thailand's military said it is ready to launch a "high-level operation" to counter any violation of its sovereignty, in the strongest words yet in a simmering border dispute with Cambodia that re-erupted with a deadly clash last week.
The army said in a statement late on June 5 that its intelligence gathering indicated Cambodia had stepped up its military readiness at their border while diplomatic efforts were ongoing, describing that as "worrisome".
The statement was in sharp contrast with one from the government just hours earlier, when it urged Cambodia to positively engage in dialogue via an existing mechanism between them.
"The army is now ready for a high-level military operation in case it is necessary to retaliate against the violation of sovereignty," it said, ahead of a meeting of its armed forces top brass scheduled for June 6.
"Operations of units at the border have been conducted carefully, calmly and based on an understanding of the situation to prevent losses on all sides, but at the same time, are ready to defend the country's sovereignty to the fullest extent if the situation is called for."
Cambodia's government did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Thai military statement on June 6.
The governments of the two countries had for days exchanged carefully worded statements committing to dialogue after a brief skirmish in an undemarcated border area on May 28 in which a Cambodian soldier was killed.
Although the two countries have a historic rivalry, their governments enjoy friendly ties, partly due to the close relationship between their influential former leaders, Thailand's Thaksin Shinawatra and Cambodia's Hun Sen, whose daughter and son respectively are now the prime ministers in their countries.
The issue comes at a tricky time for the Pheu Thai Party-led administration in Thailand as it battles to revive a flagging economy that could be hit by steep US tariffs, while facing a challenge to its popularity having paused a signature cash handout to tens of millions of people.
The party of the billionaire Shinawatra family has a troubled history with the Thai military, which twice toppled its governments in 2006 and 2014 coups.
Deadly clashes between Cambodia and Thailand last erupted in 2011 over the Preah Vihear, a 900-year-old temple at the heart of a decades-long row that has stirred nationalist sentiment on both sides.
The International Court of Justice in 2013 ruled in favour of Cambodia in clarifying a 1962 decision to award it jurisdiction over the temple, saying part of the land around it was Cambodia's and Thai troops must withdraw from the area.
Cambodia said this week it is committed to peace and plans to resolve the issue by referring disputes over four parts of their border to the ICJ and has asked Thailand to cooperate. Thailand says it does not recognise the court's jurisdiction. REUTERS
Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
8 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Over 100,000 Thai civilians flee amid clashes with Cambodia as death toll rises to 14
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Evacuees rest as they take shelter in a gymnasium on the grounds of Surindra Rajabhat University in the Thai border province of Surin on July 25, 2025. BANGKOK - More than 100,000 people have fled the bloodiest border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in a decade, Bangkok said on July 25, as the death toll rose and international powers urged a halt to hostilities. A long-running border dispute erupted into intense fighting with jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops on July 24, with the UN Security Council set to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis on July 25. The Thai interior ministry said more than 100,000 people from four border provinces had been moved to nearly 300 temporary shelters, while the kingdom's health ministry announced that the death toll had risen to 14 – 13 civilians and one soldier. Cambodian newspaper Khmer Times reported that as of 6am local time on July 25 (5am Singapore time), both countries' troops were still fighting, with shelling continuing in several areas in the early hours of the morning. 'Cambodian forces have conducted sustained bombardment utilising heavy weapons, field artillery, and BM-21 rocket systems,' Thailand's military said in a July 25 statement . 'Thai forces have responded with appropriate supporting fire in accordance with the tactical situation.' In the Cambodian town of Samraong, 20km from the border, AFP journalists reported hearing distant artillery fire on July 25 morning. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore HDB resale price growth moderates in Q2, more flats sold Business GIC posts 3.8% annualised return over 20 years despite economic uncertainties Business GIC's focus on long-term value aims to avoid permanent loss amid intensifying economic changes Opinion No idle punt: Why Singapore called out cyber saboteur UNC3886 by name Asia Cambodia and Thailand are willing to consider ceasefire: Malaysian PM Anwar Singapore Prison officer accused of taking bribes to smuggle nude photos, prescription drugs to inmate Sport 'We can match Malaysia or do even better', say Singapore's divers Business MAS' measures spark cautious optimism for Singapore stock market revival: Analysts As the guns started up, some families packed their children and belongings into vehicles and sped away. 'I live very close to the border. We are scared because they began shooting again at about 6am,' Pro Bak, 41, told AFP. He was taking his wife and children to a Buddhist temple to seek refuge. 'I don't know when we could return home,' he said. AFP journalists also saw soldiers rushing to man rocket launchers and speeding off towards the frontier. Debris is pictured on the ground at Phanom Dong Rak Hospital, which sustained damage after being hit by Cambodian artillery, in the Thai border province of Surin on July 24, 2025. PHOTO: AFP Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet urged citizens in a July 24 Facebook post to uphold 'morality and dignity' and avoid any actions that could harm the Thai Embassy, Thai companies, or Thai nationals residing in Cambodia, reported Thai newspaper The Nation. 'For Cambodian citizens who are living, working, or studying in Thailand and may be facing pressure from discrimination and wish to return to Cambodia, please come back to our country,' he said, adding that those who require assistance can contact the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Bangkok or the Consulate-General of Cambodia in Sa Kaeo Province in Thailand. Calls for calm The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbours – both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists – over their shared 800km frontier. Dozens of kilometres in several areas are contested and fighting broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced. A UN court ruling in 2013 put to rest the matter for over a decade, but the current crisis erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a new clash. Fighting on July 24 was focused on six locations, according to the Thai army, including around two ancient temples. Cambodia fired rockets and shells into Thailand, while the Thais scrambled F-16 jets to hit military targets across the border, with ground troops on both sides, backed up by tanks, battling for control of territory. Both countries blamed each other for firing first, while Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket. July 24's clashes came hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy after five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine. Diplomatic sources told AFP that the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on July 25 over the clashes. The meeting, requested by Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, will be held behind closed-doors at 1900 GMT (July 26, 3am Singapore time), the sources said. Cambodia downgraded ties to 'the lowest level' on July 24, pulling out all but one of its diplomats and expelling their Thai equivalents from Phnom Penh. The United States urged an 'immediate' end to the conflict, while Cambodia's former colonial ruler France made a similar call. The EU and China – a close ally of Phnom Penh – said they were 'deeply concerned' about the clashes, calling for dialogue. 'The United States urges an immediate cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and a peaceful resolution of the conflict,' State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told journalists. Britain's foreign ministry on July 24 advised against all but essential travel to parts of Cambodia and Thailand. AFP, REUTERS, THE NATION/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
Business Times
8 minutes ago
- Business Times
Thailand says over 100,000 civilians flee clashes with Cambodia
[SURIN, Thailand] More than 100,000 people have fled the bloodiest border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in a decade, Bangkok said on Friday, as the death toll rose and international powers urged a halt to hostilities. A long-running border dispute erupted into intense fighting with jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops on Thursday, and the UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis later Friday. The Thai interior ministry said more than 100,000 people from four border provinces had been moved to nearly 300 temporary shelters, while the kingdom's health ministry announced that the death toll had risen to 14 - 13 civilians and one soldier. In the Cambodian town of Samraong, 20 km from the border, AFP journalists reported hearing distant artillery fire on Friday morning. As the guns started up, some families packed their children and belongings into vehicles and sped away. 'I live very close to the border. We are scared because they began shooting again at about 6.00 am,' Pro Bak, 41, told AFP. A NEWSLETTER FOR YOU Friday, 8.30 am Asean Business Business insights centering on South-east Asia's fast-growing economies. Sign Up Sign Up He was taking his wife and children to a Buddhist temple to seek refuge. 'I don't know when we could return home,' he said. AFP journalists also saw soldiers rushing to man rocket launchers and speeding off towards the frontier. Calls for calm The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbours - both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists - over their shared 800 km frontier. Dozens of kilometres in several areas are contested and fighting broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced. A UN court ruling in 2013 settled the matter for over a decade, but the current crisis erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a new clash. Fighting on Thursday was focused on six locations, according to the Thai army, including around two ancient temples. Ground troops backed up by tanks battled for control of territory, while Cambodia fired rockets and shells into Thailand and the Thais scrambled F-16 jets to hit military targets across the border. Both sides blamed each other for firing first, while Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket. Thursday's clashes came hours after Thailand expelled the Cambodian ambassador and recalled its own envoy after five members of a Thai military patrol were wounded by a landmine. Cambodia downgraded ties to 'the lowest level' on Thursday, pulling out all but one of its diplomats and expelling their Thai equivalents from Phnom Penh. At the request of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, the UN Security Council will hold an emergency meeting on Friday to discuss the deadly clashes, diplomatic sources told AFP. The United States urged an 'immediate' end to the conflict, while Cambodia's former colonial ruler France made a similar call. The EU and China - a close ally of Phnom Penh - said they were 'deeply concerned' about the clashes, calling for dialogue. AFP
Straits Times
38 minutes ago
- Straits Times
US, South Korea reaffirm pledge to reach trade deal before deadline
Find out what's new on ST website and app. South Korean Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan (second from right) with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright (second from left) during their meeting in Washington, DC, on July 24. South Korea and the US reaffirmed their commitment to pursue a mutually beneficial trade agreement ahead of the Aug 1 deadline when duties are set to rise, the Asian nation's industry ministry said. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and South Korea's Industry Minister Kim Jung-kwan discussed sectoral and reciprocal tariffs on July 24, with Mr Kim emphasising the need to ease trade barriers, according to a statement from South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. Both sides agreed to strengthen manufacturing cooperation and continue discussions, the statement showed on July 25. The meeting came after the US postponed the so-called '2+2' dialogue originally planned for July 25, which would have brought together top finance and trade officials from both countries, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The meeting involving Mr Bessent is being delayed due to a scheduling conflict, a Treasury spokesperson said in an emailed response. South Korea had viewed the July 25 meeting as a critical opportunity to advance trade negotiations and avert an increase in sweeping tariffs to 25 per cent threatened by US President Donald Trump. In recent weeks, Seoul has been weighing politically sensitive concessions in areas like agriculture, energy and defense to shield its export-reliant economy. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Business GIC posts 3.8% annualised return over 20 years despite economic uncertainties Business GIC's focus on long-term value aims to avoid permanent loss amid intensifying economic changes Opinion No idle punt: Why Singapore called out cyber saboteur UNC3886 by name Asia Cambodia and Thailand are willing to consider ceasefire: Malaysian PM Anwar Asia Deadly Thai-Cambodian dispute puts Asean's relevance on the line Sport 'We can match Malaysia or do even better', say Singapore's divers Business MAS' measures spark cautious optimism for Singapore stock market revival: Analysts World Trump and Fed chief Powell bicker during tense central bank visit Mr Kim also met with US Energy Secretary Chris Wright on July 23 to discuss cooperation on clean energy and energy security, the statement from the industry ministry said. Separately, Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo is scheduled to meet with Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. As part of the broader negotiations, the two countries are exploring the creation of a joint investment fund to channel South Korean capital into US-based projects, according to sources familiar with the talks. Seoul is preparing to propose at least US$100 billion (S$128 million) in investment pledges, which would be secured through consultations with the nation's major conglomerates, Yonhap News reported on July 24. Failure to reach a deal could put Korean exporters at a disadvantage and would be a setback as overseas shipments were equivalent to more than 40 per cent of South Korea's GDP in 2024. Earlier this week, Japan secured a trade agreement with the US that includes reduced 15 per cent tariffs in exchange for supporting a US$550 billion fund and committing to strategic purchases from American suppliers. BLOOMBERG
