Latest news with #SoveitYarn
Express Tribune
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Guns fall silent on Thai-Cambodia border
A Cambodian military personnel gestures from a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher, around 40 km (24 miles) from the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple, after Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery on Friday as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day, in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, July 25, 2025. REUTERS/Soveit Yarn A ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia held on Tuesday and military commanders from both sides met to discuss measures to maintain the truce, as some residents along the disputed frontier trickled back home after five days of intense fighting. Thai and Cambodian leaders met in Malaysia on Monday and agreed to a ceasefire to halt their deadliest conflict in more than a decade, which has killed at least 43 people, many of them civilians, and displaced over 300,000 in both countries. Border areas remained calm, Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters in Bangkok, although he accused Cambodian troops of violating the ceasefire early on Tuesday. Cambodia denied this, insisting its troops had strictly abided by the ceasefire since midnight, according to a statement by Defence Minister Tea Seiha. Despite the initial jitters, military commanders from both sides held talks and agreed to maintain the ceasefire, stop any troop movement, and facilitate the return of the wounded and dead, Thai army spokesman Major-General Winthai Suvaree said. Each side will establish a coordinating team of four to resolve any problems, Winthai told reporters. Cambodia's influential former premier Hun Sen, in a Facebook post, thanked "the armies of both Cambodia and Thailand for respecting and implementing this agreement". Further negotiations will continue at a meeting of the General Border Committee, which coordinates on border security, ceasefires, and troop deployments, scheduled for August 4 in Cambodia, the Thai army said. The committee includes the defence ministers and senior military commanders from both countries. In a statement, the Thai army said it had detained 18 Cambodian soldiers who surrendered. A Cambodian defence ministry spokesperson did not immediately respond to questions on the detentions. Both militaries have agreed not to deploy more troops along their disputed border, said Lim Menghour, Director-General of the Commission on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the National Assembly of Cambodia, who also underlined the need for international observers to monitor the ceasefire. Malaysia's Defence Chief General Mohd Nizam Jaffar led a delegation to Thailand and Cambodia on Tuesday, the Malaysian army said in a statement. Reuters
Barnama
4 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Border Crisis: Experts Call For More Effective Information Management To Combat Fake News
A Cambodian military personnel stands on a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher, around 40 km (24 miles) from the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple, after Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery on Friday as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day, in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, July 25, 2025. REUTERS/Soveit Yarn By Tuwaedaniya Meringing and Kenny Teng BANGKOK, July 27 (Bernama) -- Accurate information management during the Thailand-Cambodia border dispute crisis is crucial to prevent the spread of fake news and speculation that could worsen the current situation. Associate Professor Dr. Chaiwat Meesanthan, Director of the Institute of East Asian Studies at Thammasat University, said that false information, especially when spread via social media during a crisis, often sparks tension between the peoples of both countries, further aggravating the situation. bootstrap slideshow He believes that although access to information on social media should not be restricted, it must be managed carefully. 'Both governments need to provide proactive public information materials to counter false narratives, enhance media literacy among the public, and work with social media platforms to swiftly remove harmful content,' he told Bernama in a recent exclusive interview. Chaiwat also suggested establishing a fact-checking network through collaboration between the media, non-governmental organisations, and government agencies as the best approach to combat misinformation. He further emphasised the role of local and international media in delivering information that is neutral, accurate, and timely. On Friday, Thailand and Cambodia denied reports claiming that Thai military forces had taken control of the Preah Vihear Temple, one of the hotspots in the ongoing border dispute. The statement followed viral social media reports quoting Thai military sources alleging that Thai troops had successfully seized Preah Vihear Temple as well as Wat Kaeo Sikha Khiri Svara.
Barnama
4 days ago
- Politics
- Barnama
Thailand, Cambodia Seek UN Support Amid Escalating Border Conflict
A Cambodian military personnel stands on a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher, around 40 km (24 miles) from the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple, after Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery on Friday as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day, in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, July 25, 2025. REUTERS/Soveit Yarn By Kenny Teng & Vijian Paramasivam BANGKOK, July 26 (Bernama) -- As the border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia enter their third day, both countries addressed the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) on Friday, with Thailand calling for an immediate end to hostilities and a return to dialogue. Cambodia, meanwhile, urged international intervention, warning that continued fighting could destabilise the region. bootstrap slideshow Speaking during the closed-door UNSC meeting in New York, Thailand's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Cherdchai Chaivaivid, reaffirmed Thailand's rejection of force as a means of resolving international disputes. He reaffirmed the kingdom's firm commitment to peaceful settlement in accordance with the UN Charter. 'Thailand urges Cambodia to immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith,' he told the council. His remarks were released to media. The UNSC held an emergency session on Friday under the agenda item "Threats to International Peace and Security," focusing on the Thai-Cambodian conflict that erupted following a deadly border clash. Cherdchai said Thailand has actively engaged Cambodia over the past two months through multiple bilateral mechanisms, including the Joint Boundary Commission (JBC), to resolve differences and prevent further escalation. Meanwhile, Cambodia's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UN, Chhea Keo, urged the UN and ASEAN to intervene and help resolve the border dispute with Thailand, warning that failure to act could destabilise regional security.
GMA Network
4 days ago
- Politics
- GMA Network
Thai-Cambodian fighting extends into third day, Malaysia urges ceasefire
People gather to receive water supplies donated at Batthkao Primary School camp, amid ongoing clashes on the Thai-Cambodian border that extended to the third day, with new flashpoints emerging as both sides seek diplomatic support and urge for negotiations, in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, July 26, 2025. REUTERS/Soveit Yarn SISAKET, Thailand - Fighting on the Thai-Cambodian border extended into a third day and new flashpoints emerged on Saturday as both sides said they had acted in self-defense in the border dispute and called on the other to cease fighting and start negotiations. More than 30 people have been killed and more than 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbors in 13 years. There were clashes early on Saturday, both sides said, in the neighboring Thai coastal province of Trat and Cambodia's Pursat Province early, a new front more than 100 km (60 miles) from other conflict points along the long-contested border. The two countries have faced off since the killing of a Cambodian soldier late in May during a brief skirmish. Troops on both sides of the border were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. As of Saturday, Thailand said seven soldiers and 13 civilians had been killed in the clashes, while in Cambodia five soldiers and eight civilians had been killed, said Defense Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata. In the Thai border province of Sisaket, a university compound has been converted into temporary accommodation, where a volunteer said more than 5,000 people were staying. Samrong Khamduang said she left her farm, about 10 km from the border, when fighting broke out on Thursday. The 51-year-old's husband stayed behind to look after livestock. "We got so scared with the sound of artillery," she said. "But my husband stayed back and now we lost the connection. I couldn't call him. I don't know what is happening back there." In Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, said he would continue to push a ceasefire proposal. Cambodia has backed Anwar's plan, while Thailand has said it agreed with it in principle. "There is still some exchange of fire," Anwar said, according to state news agency Bernama. He said he had asked his foreign minister "to liaise with the respective foreign ministries and, if possible, I will continue engaging with them myself – at least to halt the fighting". Security Council meeting Thailand's ambassador to the United Nations told a Security Council meeting on Friday that soldiers had been injured by newly planted land mines in Thai territory on two occasions since mid-July - claims Cambodia has strongly denied - and said Cambodia had then launched attacks on Thursday morning. "Thailand urges Cambodia to immediately cease all hostilities and acts of aggression, and resume dialogue in good faith," Cherdchai Chaivaivid told the council in remarks released to media. Cambodia's defense ministry said Thailand had launched "a deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful military attack" and was mobilizing troops and military equipment on the border. "These deliberate military preparations reveal Thailand's intent to expand its aggression and further violate Cambodia's sovereignty," the ministry said in a statement on Saturday. Cambodia called for the international community to "condemn Thailand's aggression in the strongest terms" and to prevent an expansion of its military activities, while Bangkok reiterated it wanted to resolve the dispute bilaterally. Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various undemarcated points along their 817-km (508-mile) land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes. Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site. That led to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths. Cambodia in June said it had asked the court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognized the court's jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach. — Reuters
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Thailand, Cambodia clashes intensify
A Cambodian military personnel gestures from a BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher, around 40 km (24 miles) from the disputed Ta Moan Thom temple, after Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery on Friday as their worst fighting in more than a decade stretched for a second day, in Oddar Meanchey province, Cambodia, July 25, 2025. REUTERS/Soveit Yarn Listen to article Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire for a second day on Friday as border fighting intensified and spread, killing at least 20 people and uprooting more than 138,000 villagers in the worst fighting between the Southeast Asian neighbours in 13 years. Both sides have blamed each other for starting the conflict and on Friday ratcheted up the rhetoric. Cambodia's prime minister said Thailand had agreed to a Malaysian ceasefire proposal but then backed down, while his Thai counterpart warned that clashes "could develop into war". Thailand accused Cambodia of deliberately attacking civilians and Cambodia condemned Thailand for using cluster munitions, controversial and widely condemned. Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, said Cambodia had attacked on multiple fronts. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a social media post that he had agreed to a ceasefire proposed by his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim, chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, who had informed him that Phumtham had also agreed. "However, it is regrettable that just over an hour later, the Thai side informed that they had reversed their position," Hun Manet said. Thailand later said it agreed in principle with the idea of a ceasefire and would consider it, but that it must be based on "appropriate on-the-ground conditions". Throughout the day, "Cambodian forces have continued their indiscriminate attacks," the Thai foreign ministry said in a post on X. "Cambodia's actions demonstrate a lack of good faith and continue to place civilians in danger." Fighting re-erupted before dawn on Friday, with clashes reported in 12 locations, up from six on Thursday, according to Thailand's military. It accused Cambodia of using artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rockets to attack areas that included schools and hospitals. "The deliberate targeting of civilians is a war crime and those responsible must be brought to justice." It put the blame squarely on the Phnom Penh government, which it said was being steered by Hun Sen, influential former premier of nearly four decades and father of Hun Manet. In Thailand's Surin province intermittent bursts of explosions could be heard, while soldiers marshalled traffic on a rural road along which artillery guns were being loaded and fired in succession, emitting orange flashes, loud explosions and grey smoke. The fighting started early on Thursday, quickly escalating from small arms fire to heavy shelling in multiple areas 210 km apart along a frontier where sovereignty has been disputed for more than a century. Thailand also deployed an F-16 fighter jet to strike a Cambodian military target. Cambodia, which has no fighter jet and less defence hardware and personnel, has urged the Security Council to address "Thailand's unprovoked military aggression". Two senior Thai officials said Bangkok received mediation offers from the US, Malaysia and China, but they preferred bilateral mechanisms. Cambodia said Thailand's bombardments had caused "significant and visible damage" to the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that both countries have laid claim to for decades. Thailand's military called the allegation "a clear distortion of facts". The trigger for the conflict was Thailand recalling its ambassador to Phnom Penh and expelling Cambodia's envoy on Wednesday, in response to a second Thai soldier losing a limb to a landmine that Bangkok alleged had been laid recently by rival troops. Cambodia denied that. The death toll in Thailand rose to 19 on Friday, 13 of them civilians, with 62 people wounded. Cambodia's government has not reported any casualties, but a Oddar Meanchey provincial official said a 70-year-old man had been killed and five more wounded. More than 138,000 people have been evacuated from Thailand's border regions, its health ministry said. Thailand has prepared nearly 300 facilities for evacuees, more of which poured into shelters in Surin province after hearing shelling. The two countries share 800-kilometre long border.
