Latest news with #MalySocheata
Jordan Times
9 hours ago
- Politics
- Jordan Times
Cambodia urges Thailand to return soldiers taken in border clashes
PHNOM PENH — Cambodia called on Thailand Thursday to return 20 soldiers it said were taken captive hours after a ceasefire to halt the neighbours' bloodiest border clashes in decades. The two countries agreed a truce on Tuesday following five days of clashes that killed at least 43 people on both sides -- the latest eruption of a long-standing dispute over contested border temples on their 800-kilometre frontier. Bangkok said there were no reports of violence during the night up to 7:00 am (0000 GMT), after both sides traded allegations of ceasefire breaches on Wednesday. Cambodian defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said Thursday that talks were under way for the release of 20 soldiers. "We will do our best to continue negotiations with the Thai side in order to bring all our soldiers back home safely and as soon possible," she told a briefing. "We call on the Thai side to send all 20 military personnel back to Cambodia as soon possible." The troops were captured around 7:50 am on Tuesday, she said -- nearly eight hours after the ceasefire came into effect. Thailand's government said Wednesday the detained soldiers were being treated in line with international humanitarian law and military regulations, and would be returned when the border situation stabilises. UN rights chief Volker Turk urged the neighbouring nations to implement their ceasefire deal in full and take rapid steps to build confidence and peace. "This crucial agreement must be fully respected, in good faith, by both sides, as diplomatic efforts continue, in a bid to resolve the root causes of the conflict," he said. The agreement to stop fighting was sealed in Malaysia after an intervention by US President Donald Trump -- who both Thailand and Cambodia are courting for a trade deal to avert his threat of eye-watering tariffs. Nearly 300,000 people fled their homes as the two sides battled with jets, rockets and artillery along the rural border region, marked by a ridge of hills surrounded by wild jungle and agricultural land where locals farm rubber and rice. Thailand has said 15 of its soldiers and 15 civilians were killed, while Cambodia has confirmed eight civilian and five military deaths. The death toll is significantly higher than in the last major flare-up of violence on the border, when 28 were killed in sporadic fighting from 2008 to 2011.
News18
15 hours ago
- Politics
- News18
Thailand, Cambodia plan border visits for diplomats as violence eases
Bangkok, Jul 31 (AP) Thailand and Cambodia separately planned border visits for foreign diplomats to observe damages from the nearly weeklong clash, as violence that continued after a ceasefire appears to have eased. The ceasefire reached in Malaysia was supposed to take effect at midnight Monday, but it was quickly tested as Thailand and Cambodia continued to accuse each other of violating the truce agreements. Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday it is organising a trip to the border for military attachés of foreign missions and the media on Friday to show the impact of the clashes on the ground. Cambodia is also organising a border visit for foreign diplomats on the same day. It held a similar trip on Wednesday attended by representatives from 13 countries, including the US and China. Thailand's government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub said Thursday that there had been no new clashes reported overnight Wednesday. But tensions on other fronts continue to simmer. Officials in Thailand's border province of Surin, one of the critical locations of the conflict, on Thursday cautioned evacuees against returning home as they were surveying affected areas for any ammunition that might still pose a risk. A spokesperson for Cambodia's Defence Ministry, Maly Socheata, said Thursday that Cambodia has received the body of one of its soldiers from Thailand. 'I hope that the Thai Army will return all our soldiers who are currently in the custody of the Thai Army to Cambodia as soon as possible," he said. Thai foreign minister Maris Sagniampongsa said the Cambodian soldiers were being well taken care of and would be sent back once Thailand is confident they no longer pose a threat. He said security officials would determine when the return would be. Hun Manet and Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, agreed Monday to an 'unconditional" halt in the fighting, which has killed at least 41 people. The fighting began last week after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. The peace talks were hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He called the ceasefire a 'vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security." The ceasefire was brokered with US pressure as President Donald Trump said he would not move forward with trade agreements if the conflict continued. But both countries continued to blame each other, and Thailand accused Cambodia of launching new attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday after the agreement took effect. Cambodia's Major General Chan Sopheaktra of the Preah Vihear province said Wednesday that the Cambodian military has been strictly adhering to the ceasefire agreement and that there had been two ceasefire violations by Thai forces since the agreement took effect. He did not elaborate on the violations. Cambodia and Thailand have clashed in the past over their 800-kilometre border. Tensions had been growing since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics. (AP) SKS NPK NPK view comments First Published: July 31, 2025, 19:00 IST News agency-feeds Thailand, Cambodia plan border visits for diplomats as violence eases Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
The Independent
17 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Thailand and Cambodia plan border visits for diplomats as violence eases
Thailand and Cambodia separately planned border visits for foreign diplomats to observe damages from the nearly weeklong clash, as violence that continued after a ceasefire appears to have eased. The ceasefire reached in Malaysia was supposed to take effect midnight Monday, but it was quickly tested as Thailand and Cambodia continued to accuse each other of violating the truce agreements. Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday it is organizing a trip to the border for military attachés of foreign missions and the media on Friday to show the impact of the clashes on the ground. Cambodia is also organizing a border visit for foreign diplomats on the same day. It held a similar trip on Wednesday attended by representatives from 13 countries, including the U.S. and China. Thailand's government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub said Thursday that there had been no new clashes reported overnight Wednesday. But tensions on other fronts continue to simmer. Officials in Thailand's border province of Surin, one of the critical locations of the conflict, on Thursday cautioned evacuees against returning home as they were surveying affected areas for any ammunition that might still pose a risk. A spokesperson for Cambodia's Defense Ministry Maly Socheata said Thursday that Cambodia has received the body of one of its soldiers from Thailand. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the military is now in contact with its Thai counterparts to facilitate the return of about 20 other soldiers captured by Thai forces. 'I hope that the Thai Army will return all our soldiers who are currently in the custody of the Thai Army to Cambodia as soon as possible,' he said. Thai foreign minister Maris Sagniampongsa said the Cambodian soldiers were being well taken care of and would be sent back once Thailand is confident they no longer pose a threat. He said security officials would determine when the return would be. Hun Manet and Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, agreed Monday to an 'unconditional' halt in the fighting which has killed at least 41 people. The fighting began last week after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. The peace talks were hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He called the ceasefire a 'vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security.' The ceasefire was brokered with U.S. pressure as President Donald Trump said he would not move forward with trade agreements if the conflict continued. But both countries continued to blame at each other and Thailand accused Cambodia of launching new attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday after the agreement took effect. Cambodia's Maj. Gen. Chan Sopheaktra of the Preah Vihear province said Wednesday that the Cambodian military has been strictly adhering to the ceasefire agreement and that there had been two ceasefire violations by Thai forces since the agreement took effect. He did not elaborate on the violations. Cambodia and Thailand have clashed in the past over their 800-kilometer (500-mile) border. Tensions had been growing since May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics. ___ Sopheng Cheang reported from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Associated Press
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Thailand and Cambodia plan border visits for diplomats as violence eases
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand and Cambodia separately planned border visits for foreign diplomats to observe damages from the nearly weeklong clash, as violence that continued after a ceasefire appears to have eased. The ceasefire reached in Malaysia was supposed to take effect midnight Monday, but it was quickly tested as Thailand and Cambodia continued to accuse each other of violating the truce agreements. Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said Thursday it is organizing a trip to the border for military attachés of foreign missions and the media on Friday to show the impact of the clashes on the ground. Cambodia is also organizing a border visit for foreign diplomats on the same day. It held a similar trip on Wednesday attended by representatives from 13 countries, including the U.S. and China. Thailand's government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub said Thursday that there had been no new clashes reported overnight Wednesday. But tensions on other fronts continue to simmer. Officials in Thailand's border province of Surin, one of the critical locations of the conflict, on Thursday cautioned evacuees against returning home as they were surveying affected areas for any ammunition that might still pose a risk. A spokesperson for Cambodia's Defense Ministry Maly Socheata said Thursday that Cambodia has received the body of one of its soldiers from Thailand. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the military is now in contact with its Thai counterparts to facilitate the return of about 20 other soldiers captured by Thai forces. 'I hope that the Thai Army will return all our soldiers who are currently in the custody of the Thai Army to Cambodia as soon as possible,' he said. Thai foreign minister Maris Sagniampongsa said the Cambodian soldiers were being well taken care of and would be sent back once Thailand is confident they no longer pose a threat. He said security officials would determine when the return would be. Hun Manet and Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, agreed Monday to an 'unconditional' halt in the fighting which has killed at least 41 people. The fighting began last week after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. The peace talks were hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He called the ceasefire a 'vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security.' The ceasefire was brokered with U.S. pressure as President Donald Trump said he would not move forward with trade agreements if the conflict continued. But both countries continued to blame at each other and Thailand accused Cambodia of launching new attacks on Tuesday and Wednesday after the agreement took effect. Cambodia's Maj. Gen. Chan Sopheaktra of the Preah Vihear province said Wednesday that the Cambodian military has been strictly adhering to the ceasefire agreement and that there had been two ceasefire violations by Thai forces since the agreement took effect. He did not elaborate on the violations. Cambodia and Thailand have clashed in the past over their 800-kilometer (500-mile) border. Tensions had been growing since May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics. ___ Sopheng Cheang reported from Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodia urges Thailand to return soldiers taken in border clashes
FILE PHOTO: This handout photograph taken and released by the Royal Thai Army on July 27, 2025 shows Thai soldiers preparing to repatriate the bodies of 12 Cambodian soldiers to Cambodian authorities at the Chong Sa-ngam border checkpoint between Thailand and Cambodia, in the Thai border province of Sisaket. Cambodian defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said on July 31 that talks with Thailand were under way for the release of 20 Cambodian soldiers.- AFP Photo/Royal Thai Army/Handout PHNOM PENH: Cambodia called on Thailand Thursday (July 31) to return 20 soldiers it said were taken captive hours after a ceasefire to halt the neighbours' bloodiest border clashes in decades. The two countries agreed a truce on Tuesday following five days of clashes that killed at least 43 people on both sides - the latest eruption of a long-standing dispute over contested border temples on their 800-kilometre frontier. ALSO READ: Hun Manet: Non-disclosure of information regarding captured Cambodian soldiers 'for their own safety' Bangkok said there were no reports of violence during the night up to 7:00 am (0000 GMT), after both sides traded allegations of ceasefire breaches on Wednesday. Cambodian defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said Thursday that talks were under way for the release of 20 soldiers. "We will do our best to continue negotiations with the Thai side in order to bring all our soldiers back home safely and as soon possible," she told a briefing. "We call on the Thai side to send all 20 military personnel back to Cambodia as soon possible." The troops were captured around 7:50 am on Tuesday, she said - nearly eight hours after the ceasefire came into effect. Thailand's government said Wednesday the detained soldiers were being treated in line with international humanitarian law and military regulations, and would be returned when the border situation stabilises. UN rights chief Volker Turk urged the neighbouring nations to implement their ceasefire deal in full and take rapid steps to build confidence and peace. "This crucial agreement must be fully respected, in good faith, by both sides, as diplomatic efforts continue, in a bid to resolve the root causes of the conflict," he said. The agreement to stop fighting was sealed in Malaysia after an intervention by US President Donald Trump - whom both Thailand and Cambodia are courting for a trade deal to avert his threat of eye-watering tariffs. Nearly 300,000 people fled their homes as the two sides battled with jets, rockets and artillery along the rural border region, marked by a ridge of hills surrounded by wild jungle and agricultural land where locals farm rubber and rice. Thailand has said 15 of its soldiers and 15 civilians were killed, while Cambodia has confirmed eight civilian and five military deaths. The death toll is significantly higher than in the last major flare-up of violence on the border, when 28 were killed in sporadic fighting from 2008 to 2011. - AFP
