Latest news with #TaMoanThom
AsiaOne
a day ago
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Cambodia says immediate ceasefire purpose of talks; Thailand questions its sincerity, Asia News
BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH — An immediate ceasefire in a deadly border dispute is the purpose of talks with Thailand on Monday (July 28), Cambodia's Prime Minister said, but his Thai counterpart said there were doubts about Cambodia's sincerity ahead of the negotiations in Malaysia. Monday's talks to end the deadliest fighting in more than a decade between the Southeast Asian neighbours are being hosted by Malaysia, the chair of the regional Asean bloc. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said the talks were co-organised by the United States, and that China would also take part in them. Both Thailand and Cambodia accuse the other of starting the hostilities last week and then escalating them. On Monday, officials from both countries said clashes along the disputed border were ongoing ahead of the talks later in the day. "We are not confident in Cambodia, their actions so far have reflected insincerity in solving the problem," acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told reporters ahead of his departure for Kuala Lumpur. "Cambodia has violated international law, but everybody wants to see peace. Nobody wants to see violence that affects civilians." Cambodia has strongly denied Thai accusations it has fired at civilian targets, and has instead said that Thailand has put innocent lives at risk. It has called for the international community to condemn Thailand's aggression against it. "The purpose of this meeting is to achieve an immediate 'ceasefire', initiated by President Donald Trump and agreed to by the Prime Ministers of Cambodia and Thailand," Hun Manet said in a post on X as he departed for the talks. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said State Department officials would assist the peace efforts, after President Donald Trump had earlier said that he thought both leaders wanted to settle the conflict. The tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have intensified since the killing in late May of a Cambodian soldier during a brief skirmish. Border troops on both sides were reinforced amid a full-blown diplomatic crisis that brought Thailand's fragile coalition government to the brink of collapse. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had proposed ceasefire talks soon after the border dispute erupted into conflict on Thursday, and China and the United States also offered to assist in negotiations. Anwar said he expected to chair the negotiations after being asked by the two governments to try to find a peace settlement, state media agency Bernama reported on Sunday. "So, I'm discussing the parameters, the conditions, but what is important is (an) immediate ceasefire," Anwar said. Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over undemarcated points along their 817-km 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 the situation worsened in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a Unesco World Heritage site. Skirmishes over several years brought at least a dozen deaths. Cambodia said in June it had asked the court to resolve its disputes with Thailand. Bangkok says it has never recognised the court's jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach. [[nid:720680]]
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Trump helps mediate Thailand, Cambodia border dispute with trade talk
"Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace," Trump said. More than 30 people have been killed and 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the countries in 13 years. Both sides said they acted in self defense in the border dispute. Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various points along the land border. Ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear are central to the disputes. 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. Trump has threatened both countries with 36% tariffs but said trade talks will stall without a ceasefire. "When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!" Trump said. Contributing: Reuters
Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Thai-Cambodia border shelling continues despite Trump's ceasefire call
SISAKET, Thailand - Cambodia and Thailand each said the other had launched artillery attacks across contested border areas early on Sunday, hours after U.S. President Donald Trump said the leaders of both countries had agreed to work on a ceasefire. Four days after the worst fighting in more than a decade broke out between the Southeast Asian neighbours, the death toll stood above 30, mainly civilians. More than 130,000 people have been evacuated from border areas in the two countries. Cambodia's Defence Ministry said Thailand had shelled and launched ground assaults on Sunday morning at a number of points, including in Phnom Kmoach, which borders Thailand's coastal Trat province. The ministry's spokesperson said heavy artillery was fired at temple complexes. The Thai army said Cambodia had fired shots into several areas, including near civilian homes, early on Sunday. The governor of Surin told Reuters artillery shells had been fired into the province, damaging a house and killing some livestock. In the Thai province of Sisaket, Reuters reporters heard shelling early on Sunday and said it was unclear which side of the border it was on. "If there is a ceasefire, things will be better," Sisaket resident Thavorn Toosawan told Reuters. "It's great that America is insisting on the ceasefire because it would bring peace." TRUMP SPEAKS TO BOTH LEADERS Trump said on Saturday that he had spoken with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia and they had agreed to meet immediately to quickly work out a ceasefire to end fighting that began on Thursday. Bangkok and Phnom Penh each say the other side started the hostilities. "Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace," Trump wrote on social media. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet endorsed the call for the fighting to stop. "I made it clear to Honourable President Donald Trump that Cambodia agreed with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces," Hun Manet posted on Facebook, noting he had also agreed to Malaysia's earlier ceasefire proposal. Thailand's response was more qualified, as it had been with the proposal from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, saying Cambodia needed to do more before talks could begin. "I thanked President Trump for his concern and expressed that Thailand agrees in principle to have a ceasefire in place. However, Thailand would like to see sincere intention from the Cambodian side," acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on Facebook. The 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. Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over 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, and skirmishes over several years brought at least a dozen deaths. Cambodia said in June it had asked the court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognised the court's jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach. REUTERS
USA Today
3 days ago
- Politics
- USA Today
Trump urges Thailand, Cambodia ceasefire with trade talk
The aim of Trump and other world leaders is to halt the fiercest border clash between Thailand and Cambodia in 13 years WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump urged the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand to end three days of fighting along their border, and they agreed to meet to negotiate a ceasefire. Trump, who is in Scotland to play golf and talk trade, said on social media July 26 he had spoken to Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai. He warned them that he would not make trade deals with either government if the border conflict continued. "Both Parties are looking for an immediate Ceasefire and Peace," Trump said. More than 30 people have been killed and 130,000 people displaced in the worst fighting between the countries in 13 years. Both sides said they acted in self defense in the border dispute. Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over jurisdiction of various points along the land border. Ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear are central to the disputes. 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. Trump has threatened both countries with 36% tariffs but said trade talks will stall without a ceasefire. "When all is done, and Peace is at hand, I look forward to concluding our Trading Agreements with both!" Trump said. Contributing: Reuters
New Straits Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Malaysia urges Thailand, Cambodia to resume peace talk
KUALA LUMPUR: Thailand and Cambodia have been urged to hold negotiations to restore peace and stability, in line with the spirit of Asean unity and fraternity. Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan said efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict between the two nations must be guided by principles of solidarity and good neighbourliness. He said Malaysia stands ready to play a constructive role, through the Asean Chair's Office, in helping Thailand and Cambodia resume talks and bring an end to the fighting. Mohamad also reiterated Malaysia's call for both countries to exercise maximum restraint and implement an immediate, unconditional ceasefire. "This is to prevent either Thailand or Cambodia from taking any action that may jeopardise peace efforts. "As the Asean Chair for 2025, Malaysia is deeply concerned about the escalating tensions between the governments of Thailand and Cambodia. "The situation has already resulted in rising casualties on both sides, widespread damage to public property, and the displacement of many residents from border areas," he said in a statement. The latest round of clashes between Thailand and Cambodia stems from tensions that began in May, following the death of a Cambodian soldier during an armed confrontation at the border. The 818-kilometre border between the two countries has long been a source of dispute, with both claiming sovereignty over areas demarcated during French colonial rule in 1907. Several ancient temples along the border remain key points of contention, including Prasat Ta Moan Thom and the famed Preah Vihear Temple. International media earlier reported that fighting had entered its third day, although there appeared to be a glimmer of hope, as both sides expressed willingness to seek diplomatic support, claimed acts of self-defence, and called for an end to hostilities through dialogue. At least 30 people have been killed and over 130,000 displaced in what is now the worst conflict between the two Southeast Asian neighbours in 13 years. Thailand's death toll remains at 19 as of today, while Cambodian Defence Ministry spokesperson Maly Socheata confirmed the deaths of five soldiers and eight civilians. In February, the dispute over Prasat Ta Moan Thom, a Khmer temple near the Thai border, flared up further when Thai authorities barred Cambodian tourists from singing their national anthem at the site. The Cambodian government, however, has denied initiating the conflict, stating it only responded after Thai forces launched an armed attack. Both nations have since severed diplomatic ties and continue to blame each other for triggering the violence. Thailand has also announced the closure of all border checkpoints with Cambodia until further notice.
