Marcos Calls on Thailand and Cambodia to Resolve Border Dispute Peacefully
The ongoing conflict between the two ASEAN member states intensified in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed during a confrontation. Since then, reports indicate that over 30 lives have been lost and more than 130,000 people have been displaced due to the violence.
In a statement released on Saturday, July 26, Marcos expressed concern over the situation and encouraged both countries to pursue peaceful resolution through international law and diplomatic means. He also said the Philippines is willing to help in efforts to restore peace.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that both nations have agreed to enter immediate ceasefire talks.
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Dubai Eye
an hour ago
- Dubai Eye
Thai, Cambodian leaders agree to ceasefire after five days of battle
The leaders of Cambodia and Thailand agreed to a ceasefire on Monday effective midnight, in a bid to bring an end to their deadliest conflict in more than a decade after five days of fierce fighting. Amid an international effort to quell the conflict, the Thai and Cambodian leaders held talks in Malaysia hosted by its Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the current chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, where both sides agreed to halt hostilities and resume direct communications. Anwar said when opening a press conference alongside the Thai and Cambodian leaders that there would be "an immediate and unconditional ceasefire with effect from midnight tonight. This is final". The Southeast Asian neighbours accuse each other of starting the fighting last week, before escalating it with heavy artillery bombardment and Thai air strikes along their 817-km land border. Anwar had proposed ceasefire talks soon after a long-running border dispute erupted into conflict on Thursday, and China and the United States also offered to assist in negotiations. US President Donald Trump called both leaders at the weekend urging them to settle their differences, warning he would not conclude trade deals with them unless they ended the fighting. The tension between Thailand and Cambodia has intensified since the killing of a Cambodian soldier during a brief skirmish late in May. Both sides reinforced border troops amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. "Today we have a very good meeting and very good results... that hope to stop immediately the fighting that has caused many lives lost, injuries and also caused displacement of people," Hun Manet said, expressing appreciation to Trump and to China for its efforts in participating in the process. "We hope that the solutions that Prime Minister Anwar just announced will set a condition for moving forward for our bilateral discussion to return to normalcy of the relationship, and as a foundation for future de-escalation of forces." Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who had earlier expressed doubts about Cambodia's sincerity ahead of the negotiations in Malaysia, said Thailand had agreed to ceasefire that would "be carried out successfully in good faith by both sides".
The National
5 hours ago
- The National
Thailand and Cambodia agree ceasefire after five days of fighting
Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' during negotiations in Malaysia, bringing an end to days of deadly border clashes. Thailand's acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet met for discussions in Putrajaya, after at least 35 people were killed in five days of violence in south-east Asia. It marked the deadliest fighting between the countries since violence flared from 2008 to 2011 over disputed jungle territory. The vague border demarcation had been established by Cambodia's French colonial administrators in 1907. More than 200,000 people have fled since the latest fighting began last week. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, current chairman of the Association of South-East Asian Nations, said after the talks that both sides 'expressed their positions and willingness to immediate ceasefire'. The truce was to take effect at midnight local time. 'This is a vital first step to a de-escalation and a restoration of peace and security,' he added. Mr Hun said the move would 'provide a lot of opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people on both sides to return to normalcy'. It is a time to 'start rebuilding trust and confidence' he added at a media conference. Military commanders from both sides were to hold an 'informal meeting' early today, before defence officials hold talks. Mr Phumtham said Thailand negotiated 'in good faith' and was committed to peace. There had been calls for peace from China, as well as the US. President Donald Trump − whose administration is holding trade talks with both Thailand and Cambodia − said at the weekend that the countries had agreed to 'quickly work out' a truce. The leaders met at the prime minister's residence in Putrajaya, Malaysia's administrative capital. Tension escalated on the eve of the talks, with Thailand's military saying Cambodian snipers were camped in border temples. It accused Cambodia of launching rockets into Thai territory.' 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 said at the time. Cambodia denied firing rockets at civilian targets and said it was Thailand that had put innocent lives at risk.
UAE Moments
6 hours ago
- UAE Moments
Thailand, Cambodia Begin Peace Talks Today in Malaysia
Thailand and Cambodia are heading to Malaysia for peace talks following a deadly flare-up along their disputed border. With both sides trading artillery fire and accusations, Malaysian officials are stepping in to mediate the conflict under the ASEAN banner. The meeting is set for Monday at 3 PM local time. Thai acting PM Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian PM Hun Manet will attend, as tensions rise over contested territory that has seen more than 30 deaths in recent days. Artillery Fire Continues Despite agreeing to meet, both countries continued to exchange fire just hours after confirming the talks. Each side blames the other for the renewed attacks— Cambodia says Thai forces shelled historic temple sites, while Thailand claims Cambodian rockets hit civilian homes. More than 200,000 people have already been evacuated from the border region, and reports from the ground say artillery fire hasn't stopped. U.S. and U.N. Push for Peace U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with both leaders on Saturday, urging them to agree to an immediate ceasefire. He warned that trade deals with Washington would be frozen if violence continues. Meanwhile, U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres echoed the call for restraint and resolution. Trump said the phone calls 'got them to the table' and called the Malaysia talks a step in the right direction. What's the Dispute About? The two Southeast Asian nations have clashed for years over disputed sections of their 817km border, especially areas around ancient Hindu temples like Ta Moan Thom and Preah Vihear. Though the International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear to Cambodia in 1962, tensions reignited in 2008 when Cambodia pushed to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Civilians Caught in the Middle Thousands of evacuees are now staying in temporary shelters on both sides of the border. Conditions are basic— just enough food, water, and bedding —but uncertainty looms.
