Latest news with #TeaSeiha
The Star
15-07-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Defence minister demands public apology for assault on Cambodian soldier at Ta Mone Thom
A former Thai soldier assaulted a Cambodian in uniform at Ta Mone Thom Temple on July 13. Defence minister Tea Seiha (left) has called for a public apology. - Supplied PHNOM PENH: Cambodia's National Defence Minister has demanded that a former Thai patrol soldier, along with Thai authorities, issue a public apology for the unprovoked assault on a Cambodian soldier that took place at Ta Mone Thom temple on July 13. This demand was made in spite of the fact that the suspect has already been arrested by Thai authorities and is facing legal consequences. Speaking today, July 15, at an event to welcome Cambodian peacekeepers returning from the Central Africa Republic, defence minister Tea Seiha explained that on July 13, the former Thai soldier initially approached to shake hands but then suddenly attacked the Cambodian. 'If there was just an apology, I would be satisfied. There could be an apology; I believe there has been an informal apology. However, it hasn't been publicly announced that he apologized to Cambodia,' Seiha said. He further noted that the suspect, identified as 'Sommai', claimed he attacked the Cambodian soldier out of anger after seeing Cambodian civilians at Ta Mone Thom. He alleged that Cambodian soldiers prevented Thai civilians from accessing the temple. According to Seiha, Sommai face legal action in Thailand, as Thai authorities claim Ta Mone Thom belongs to them and plan to prosecute him in a Thai court. However, the minister argued that the suspect should be tried in Cambodia since the incident occurred on Cambodian soil. For now, Cambodia is monitoring the situation. 'What frustrates me even more is that some Thai lawyers have volunteered to defend him. Defending someone when the crime is clear is pointless. Where is the respect for the law in Thailand?' he asked. He noted that the lawyers publicly volunteered their services on social media, seemingly to gain popularity. The arrest was widely reported in Thai media but no updates on the nature of the charges he will face have been made available. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Star
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodian PM Manet thanks his people for maintaining dignity during Thai dispute
Prime Minister Hun Manet addressing the closing ceremony of a Union of Youth Federations of Cambodia event on June 23. - FN PHNOM PENH: As tensions over border disputes simmer between Thailand and Cambodia, the Cambodian leadership is continuing to urge the citizens of the kingdom not to discriminate against Thai nationals and to maintain their dignity. Thai residents in Cambodia have no reason to be concerned, noted Prime Minister Hun Manet. 'Up to this moment, the Khmer people have not looked down on or belittled Thai citizens living and working in Cambodia. I am very grateful to them for upholding such high moral standards. There are some cases [of discrimination] elsewhere, but they are not widespread because there are both good and bad people. "Please do not expand the issue. Relations between people and people, citizens and citizens, must not harbour hostility,' he said, as he addressed a June 23 meeting. He added that if Cambodian workers in Thailand face any discrimination, they should return to Cambodia, where buses are ready to deliver them home. 'This issue almost escalated. Recently, we saw children studying in Thai schools stomping and kicking the Khmer flag, and children in Khmer schools stomping and kicking the Thai flag,' he said. He emphasised that despite conflicts between governments or militaries, civilians must exercise restraint to avoid disputes at the public level. Recently, defence minister Tea Seiha made a similar appeal, even as the two countries' armies face off. On June 22, the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation advised Cambodians to avoid travelling to Thailand unless it was absolutely necessary. 'At the same time, we urge all Cambodian citizens and workers currently in Thailand to exercise the utmost caution, closely monitor information from official sources and avoid travelling to areas prone to dangers, such as gatherings or protests of any kind,' said a foreign ministry statement. Similarly, Thailand's foreign ministry has urged its citizens to avoid travelling to Cambodia unless essential. The border dispute between the two countries has also escalated into the realm of trade. On June 23, the Thai government reportedly banned people and vehicles from crossing the Thai-Cambodian border in Thailand's seven border provinces, except for students and medical patients. Thai restrictions include the halting of all fuel and oil exports to Cambodia, although the Cambodian government had announced that it would pause all Thai oil and gas imports a full day earlier. Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra stated that these measures were aimed at curbing cross-border crime and online scams. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Star
22-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Defence Minister: Cambodia won't invade, lacks jets to reach Bangkok
Defence Minister Tea Seiha has reiterated that Cambodia's military capabilities are defensive, not offensive. - Photo: Facebook PHNOM PENH: Minister of National Defence Tea Seiha has made it clear that Cambodia may not possess fighter jets or warships but has the capability to defend the country, including air defence systems, anti-tank guns and coastal defence weapons. Speaking on Friday (June 20) morning, he said Cambodia has collaborated with friendly partners to upgrade its defence capabilities, not to invade others, and emphasised that Cambodia does not have fighter jets capable of reaching Bangkok. "Thailand posts photos of their missiles, fighter jets, large artillery pieces and warships, and weapons for land, sea and air. "What does Cambodia have? Let me clarify, Cambodia has no fighter jets or warships because Cambodia focuses only on defensive capabilities. We have air defence guns, anti-tank guns, and coastal defence guns," he said. 'Cambodia has worked with some friendly partners to enhance our military capabilities solely for national defence, absolutely not to build up weapons for invading others,' he added. Seiha's remarks come amid ongoing tensions along the Cambodia-Thailand border. Recently, the defence ministry noted that Thailand has increased activities such as deploying drones, digging trenches, mobilising weapons and support equipment, constructing infrastructure and increasing troop numbers along the border of Preah Vihear and Oddar Meanchey provinces. The ministry stated that these actions pose a serious threat to the peace and security of both countries. On June 19, a spokesperson for Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs acknowledged that earthworks were being constructed, but claimed they were conducted within Thai territory. Seiha emphasised that Cambodia does not want war with any country and has referred the border dispute with Thailand to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) for a peaceful resolution. He noted that the ICJ's decision may not guarantee territorial gains for either side, as it depends on the court's findings. He added that the outcome from the ICJ would ensure peace and clarity regarding the border between the two nations. He further stated that resolving the issue through a 2000 memorandum of understanding (MoU) has been impossible, and Thailand and Cambodia have not conducted joint border surveys since 2012 or 2013, primarily due to using different maps. He also claimed that over the past decade, since bilateral talks through the Joint Boundary Commission stalled, Thailand has violated the memorandum 695 times, on a provisional basis. 'I say provisionally because there could be more, such as road construction and patrolling without notifying Cambodia,' he said. - The Phnom Penh Post/ANN
The Star
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodia-Thailand border talks drag on
THE country's defence ministry has said that the country's troops haven't withdrawn from a patch of land whose ownership is hotly disputed by neighbouring Thailand, but the declaration also echoed recent statements by both sides seeking a peaceful resolution to their competing border claims. Cambodian and Thai authorities engaged in saber-rattling last week after an armed confrontation at the border on May 28 left one Cambodian soldier dead. The incident, which each side blamed on the other, reportedly took place in a relatively small 'no man's land' constituting territory along their border that both countries claim is theirs. A declaration by the Cambodian defence ministry on Monday had 'No Withdrawal of Troops' as its first principle. It said that 'Cambodian forces have not been withdrawn from any areas under Cambodian sovereignty where they have been stationed for an extended period'. The wording left unclear exactly which positions had been occupied for 'an extended period'. His statement also reaffirmed Cambodia's territorial claims covering not only the spot near Morakot village in Cambodia's north-western province of Preah Vihear where the soldier was killed, but also three other pieces of disputed land. Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Seiha himself on Sunday had painted a slightly different picture, stating that Cambodia and Thai military leaders had met and decided to adjust the military forces of both sides to return to appropriate areas in order to reduce tension. His statement appeared to be in accord with what Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced on Sunday, that both sides had withdrawn their forces to where they had been in 2024. That came after Thailand began shutting or limiting crossing hours at some of the numerous checkpoints along the countries' common border. The tough talk on both sides appeared aimed mostly at drumming up nationalist support among their own domestic audiences. — AP
San Francisco Chronicle
09-06-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Tough talk drags on in Cambodia-Thailand border standoff. But tensions appear to be easing
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's defense ministry on Monday said that the country's troops haven't withdrawn from a patch of land whose ownership is hotly disputed by neighboring Thailand, but the declaration also echoed recent statements by both sides seeking a peaceful resolution to their competing border claims. Cambodian and Thai authorities engaged in saber-rattling last week, after an armed confrontation at the border on May 28 left one Cambodian soldier dead. The incident, which each side blamed on the other, reportedly took place in a relatively small 'no man's land' constituting territory along their border that both countries claim is theirs. A declaration by the Cambodian defense ministry on Monday had 'No Withdrawal of Troops' as its first principle. It said that 'Cambodian forces have not been withdrawn from any areas under Cambodian sovereignty where they have been stationed for an extended period.' The wording left unclear exactly which positions had been occupied for 'an extended period.' His statement also reaffirmed Cambodia's territorial claims covering not only the spot near Morakot village in Cambodia's northwestern province of Preah Vihear where the soldier was killed, but also three other pieces of disputed land. Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha himself on Sunday had painted a slightly different picture, stating that Cambodia and Thai military leaders had met and decided to adjust the military forces of both sides to return to appropriate areas in order to reduce tension and confront each other on the border. His statement appeared to be in accord with what Thai Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced on Sunday, that both sides had withdrawn their forces to where they had been in 2024. That came after Thailand began shutting or limiting crossing hours at some of the numerous checkpoints along the countries' common border. The tough talk on both sides appeared aimed mostly at drumming up nationalist support among their own domestic audiences. In Thailand, the elected government of Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra has been attacked by right-wing nationalists who are longtime foes of her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. Already last year, Paetongtarn's government was attacked on nationalist grounds for proposing to resume talks with Cambodia on demarcation of maritime territory believed to hold profitable hydrocarbon resources. There is a long history to disputes over border territory, leaving Thailand especially bitter. In 1962, the International Court of Justice in The Hague, Netherlands, awarded to Cambodia the disputed territory on which stands the historic Preah Vihear temple. The ruling, which became a major irritant in bilateral relations, was reaffirmed in 2013. There had been serious though sporadic clashes there in 2011. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet last week vowed to take the cases of the four currently disputed areas to the court to determine ownership, even if Thailand didn't join in the appeal, in order 'to end this problem and extinguish it once and for all so that there is no further confusion.'
