Thai army releases drone strike video as clashes with Cambodia kill 16, ceasefire calls grow louder
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Business Standard
2 hours ago
- Business Standard
Thai, Cambodian leaders to meet in Malaysia for talks to resolve dispute
Thai and Cambodian leaders will meet in Malaysia for talks to end hostilities, a spokesperson for the Thai prime minister's office said on Sunday. This comes following pressure from US President Donald Trump to end a deadly border dispute, now in its fourth day, which has killed at least 34 people and displaced more than 168,000. Jirayu Huangsap said Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will attend Monday's talks in response to an invitation from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss peace efforts in the region. The spokesperson also said Phumtham's Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet will also attend the talks, though this was not immediately confirmed by the Cambodian side. He added that Anwar was acting in his capacity as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, held on an annual rotating basis by its 10 members. Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday that he spoke to the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia and suggested he would not move forward with trade agreements with either country if the hostilities continued. He later said both sides agreed to meet to negotiate a ceasefire. Both sides agree to discuss a ceasefire Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said earlier Sunday his country agreed to pursue an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. He said Trump told him that Thailand had also agreed to halt attacks following the US president's conversation with Phumtham. He said he tasked his deputy, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, to coordinate next steps with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and to engage directly with Thailand's foreign minister to implement the ceasefire. Thailand expressed cautious support. Phumtham thanked Trump and said that Thailand agreed in principle to a ceasefire but stressed the need for sincere intention from Cambodia, the Thai Foreign Ministry said. Phumtham called for swift bilateral talks to discuss concrete steps toward a peaceful resolution, it said. Both sides blame the other for the clashes The fighting flared Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Both sides blamed each other for starting the clashes. Both countries recalled their ambassadors and Thailand closed its border crossings with Cambodia. Despite the diplomatic efforts, fighting continued Sunday along parts of the contested border, with both sides refusing to budge and trading blame over renewed shelling and troop movements. Col. Richa Suksowanont, a Thai army deputy spokesperson, said Cambodian forces fired heavy artillery into Surin province, including at civilian homes, early Sunday. He said Cambodia also launched rocket attacks targeting the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple, claimed by both countries, and other areas in a bid to reclaim territory secured by Thai troops. Thai forces responded with long-range artillery to strike Cambodian artillery and rocket launchers. Richa said Trump's efforts to mediate were a separate matter. The battlefield operations will continue and a ceasefire can only happen if Cambodia formally initiates negotiations, he added. Any cessation of hostilities cannot be reached while Cambodia is severely lacking in good faith and repeatedly violating the basic principles of human rights and humanitarian law," Thailand's Foreign Ministry said separately. Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata accused Thai forces of escalating the violence with bombardment of Cambodian territory early Sunday, followed by a "large-scale incursion" involving tanks and ground troops in multiple areas. Such actions undermine all efforts toward peaceful resolution and expose Thailand's clear intent to escalate rather than de-escalate the conflict, she said. Thailand on Sunday reported a new death of a soldier, bringing the total number of fatalities to 21, mostly civilians. Cambodia said 13 people have been killed. More than 131,000 people in Thailand have evacuated to safe locations and over 37,000 people fled from three Cambodian provinces. Many border villages are mostly deserted, with many schools and hospitals shut. Evacuees hope for a swift end to the fighting Pichayut Surasit, an air-conditioning technician in Thailand, said the sudden outbreak of fighting meant leaving his work in Bangkok to return home to protect his family. I didn't have the heart to continue with my work when I heard the news. I wanted to come back as soon as possible, but I had to wait until the evening, he said. Now at a shelter in Surin housing some 6,000 evacuees, Pichayut worries for his wife and twin daughters, hoping the conflict will end soon so they can return to their home in Kap Choeng district, one of the hardest hit by shelling. Bualee Chanduang, a local vendor who moved to the same shelter Thursday with her family and pet rabbit, is counting on swift negotiations to end the violence. I pray for God to help so that both sides can agree to talk and end this war, she said. The UN Security Council has called on ASEAN, a regional bloc, to mediate peace between the two members. Human Rights Watch has condemned the reported use of cluster munitions, weapons banned by International law, in populated areas, and urged both governments to protect civilians. The 800-kilometre frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades, but past confrontations have been limited and brief. The latest tensions erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics.
Economic Times
2 hours ago
- Economic Times
Preah Vihear Temple explained — the sacred site behind deadly clashes between Thailand and Cambodia
AP Preah Vihear Temple, the ancient Hindu site sitting high in the Dângrêk Mountains, has become the center of a long-running and deadly border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. While Cambodia won control of the temple in a 1962 ICJ ruling, Thailand still disputes ownership of the land around it. The issue exploded again in 2025, with fresh violence, political tension, and civilian casualties. What should be a symbol of history and peace continues to stir deep national pride, military clashes, and international concern. (AP Photo/Heng Sinith, File) Nestled atop a cliff in the Dângrêk Mountains, the ancient Preah Vihear Temple has become far more than a spiritual site. It's now the heart of a decades-long, sometimes deadly border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia. Although this stunning 11th-century Hindu temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the land it sits on has fueled military clashes, displaced thousands, and triggered international court battles. But why exactly has this sacred site turned into a flashpoint for violence and political tension? The root of the dispute goes back to 1907, during the French colonial era, when France drew up a map placing Preah Vihear Temple inside Cambodian territory. Thailand (then known as Siam) initially accepted the map without official objection—but decades later, this decision came back to haunt both nations. Thailand now argues that the 1907 French map ignored a 1904 treaty, which said the border should follow the natural watershed line of the Dângrêk Mountains. According to Thai authorities, the watershed would have placed the temple well within Thailand's borders. Cambodia, however, continues to rely on the colonial-era map to assert sovereignty. ALSO READ: World War III: Thailand–Cambodia border clashes escalate toward war-like situation - South East Asia in turmoil In 1962, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled in Cambodia's favor, awarding it sovereignty over the temple. Thailand was ordered to withdraw troops and return any artifacts taken from the site. This ruling caused an uproar in Thailand and has remained a source of diplomatic friction ever since. But the court's decision left one major issue unresolved—who owns the surrounding 4.6 square kilometers of land? The conflict reignited in 2008 when Cambodia successfully registered Preah Vihear as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Thailand strongly opposed the move, fearing it would legitimize Cambodia's control over the surrounding territory. This led to a series of violent clashes between Thai and Cambodian troops, particularly between 2008 and 2011. The fighting included mortar shelling and rocket fire, leaving at least 20 people dead and thousands displaced. Schools and homes near the border were abandoned as entire communities fled the violence. Following the bloodshed, Cambodia once again approached the International Court of Justice in 2011, asking for a clear interpretation of its 1962 ruling. In 2013, the ICJ reaffirmed that the temple belongs to Cambodia and ordered Thailand to remove its forces from the area. It also ruled that Cambodia had sovereignty over the immediate vicinity of the temple. However, Thailand rejected further ICJ involvement in future disputes, insisting that all remaining border issues should be resolved through bilateral talks. Tensions reached new heights in May 2025, when a Cambodian soldier was killed and Thai troops were injured in a landmine blast near the disputed area. That incident was followed by rocket strikes and cross-border fighting, resulting in at least nine civilian deaths, including women and children, by July 2025. The violence prompted Cambodia to again request ICJ intervention, but Thailand rejected the move, refusing to recognize the court's jurisdiction over the latest incidents. In a dramatic twist, Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was suspended from office after a leaked phone call with Cambodia's former prime minister Hun Sen surfaced. Critics accused her of compromising national security and territorial sovereignty. For Cambodia, Preah Vihear is a proud emblem of Khmer heritage and cultural glory. It's considered one of the most spiritually significant structures in the country's history, standing as a testament to its ancient civilization. For Thailand, the conflict represents more than just a land dispute. Nationalist groups view the contested area as stolen territory and see any concession as a betrayal of Thai sovereignty. One of the core issues is the lack of clear border demarcation. Despite multiple treaties and memoranda, no definitive agreement has been reached on where the boundary line falls—especially around the temple area. Even after numerous bilateral talks and military coordination efforts, both sides continue to patrol and claim parts of the area, making tensions a recurring issue. Despite being members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Thailand and Cambodia have struggled to use regional diplomacy to resolve the dispute. While Cambodia prefers international legal arbitration, Thailand insists on bilateral negotiations—a key reason why the issue remains unresolved. The border tension has also exposed ASEAN's limitations in resolving internal disputes, particularly when national pride, military presence, and sovereignty are involved. Beyond its cultural and historical value, the Preah Vihear Temple region holds significant economic and strategic importance: Tourism revenue : The temple draws thousands of visitors annually. : The temple draws thousands of visitors annually. Natural resources : Control over nearby lands could include access to valuable minerals and forested land. : Control over nearby lands could include access to valuable minerals and forested land. Geopolitical influence: The temple sits on elevated ground, giving strategic military advantage in a region that has seen repeated troop buildup. Year Event Outcome 1907 French map places temple in Cambodia Thailand accepts without formal protest 1962 ICJ awards temple to Cambodia Thailand ordered to withdraw 2008 Cambodia registers site with UNESCO Thailand objects, military clashes begin 2011–2013 Cambodia seeks ICJ clarification Cambodia wins reaffirmation, Thailand withdraws troops 2025 New violence erupts over landmines and airstrikes Dozens dead, border closed, political fallout ensues The tragic irony of the Preah Vihear Temple dispute is that a site built for devotion and unity has become a symbol of division and unrest. While international law has sided with Cambodia on multiple occasions, the situation remains volatile due to national pride, unclear borders, and shifting politics. Until both countries reach a clear, enforceable agreement, this sacred temple will likely remain a powder keg—caught between two nations and haunted by the past. Q1: Why is Preah Vihear Temple causing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia? Because both countries claim the temple and the land around it as their own. Q2: What did the ICJ rule about Preah Vihear Temple? The ICJ gave the temple to Cambodia in 1962 but didn't settle the full border. ( Originally published on Jul 24, 2025 )
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Weapons from Pakistan arming gangsters in Punjab: Cops
Amritsar: Apprehensions of cross-border arms smugglers in Pakistan expanding their network in India continue to grow amid regular seizures of guns and ammunition along the neighbouring country's border in Punjab. Amritsar senior superintendent of police (rural) Maninder Singh said they had seized 170 weapons of different makes along the Pak border since Jan, with a bulk of the illegal firearms being dropped by drones. He said there were not many incidents when the supply of firerarms smuggled from Pakistan via Punjab was found in the insurgency-hit states of India or in the hands of Naxals. He, however, said that in the past, Telangana-bound improvised explosive devices (IEDs) were seized in Ambala. "But not many cases have come to light wherein arms were being sold to other terrorist-hit regions of India," he said. A police source said a majority of these weapons are smuggled to arm gangsters in Punjab. "Most of the gangsters in the region are armed with at least two-three pistols each, so the demand is high," said the source. Most of the small weapons, including Glock, Star, and Chinese-made pistols, have huge demand in Punjab, added sources. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like After Losing Weight Kevin James Looks Like A Model 33 Bridges Border Security Force Punjab frontier inspector general (IG) Atul Fulzele said BSF had seized 55 pistols, 89 magazines, and 323 rounds of ammunition in the past six months. "But I am not sure if these weapons are sold outside Punjab," he said. Some officers suspect some of these weapons are being diverted to insurgency-affected areas in India.
