Latest news with #ThaiForeignMinistry
CNA
a day ago
- Politics
- CNA
Thailand denies using chemical weapons in clashes with Cambodia
BANGKOK: Thailand on Monday (Jul 28) denied using chemical weapons in its border conflict with Cambodia, condemning the 'baseless accusation'. In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the allegations are part of a 'campaign of disinformation aiming to discredit Thailand's reputation while the two countries are scheduled to meet'. 'This accusation once again is groundless and reflects a pattern of disinformation, aimed at distorting the facts on the ground and deliberately undermining Thailand's credibility and standing in the international community,' the ministry added. Maly Socheata, a spokesperson for the Cambodian defence minister, had earlier accused Thai forces of using chemical weapons in their attack. The Cambodian Human Rights Committee also condemned what it called 'Thailand's deliberate use of toxic military smokes and obscurants'. On Facebook, the wife of Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet shared a photo of a plane emitting smoke, captioned: "Thai aircraft released toxic smoke in the disputed areas on Jul 27, according to the Cambodia's Ministry of National Defense." In Monday's statement, the Thai foreign ministry said its position on the use of chemical weapons has been consistent. 'We condemn the use of chemical weapons anywhere, by anyone, under any circumstances,' it said. 'Thailand is also fully committed to all international instruments on disarmament and the non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction.' The Royal Thai Armed Forces said it 'categorically rejects' the allegations by Cambodia. 'Thailand calls upon the international community to take serious note of such behaviour and to jointly condemn the use of disinformation aimed at distorting reality on the global stage,' it said in a statement. The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia held ceasefire talks in Malaysia on Monday as the deadly skirmish dragged into a fifth day.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cambodia calls for ceasefire with Thailand after deadly clashes
Cambodia wants an "immediate ceasefire" with Thailand, the country's envoy to the United Nations said Friday, after the neighbors traded deadly strikes for a second day, with Bangkok also signaling an openness to talks. A long-running border dispute erupted into intense fighting with jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops on Thursday, prompting the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis Friday. "Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire -- unconditionally -- and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute," said Phnom Penh's UN ambassador Chhea Keo following a closed meeting of the Council attended by Cambodia and Thailand. A steady thump of artillery strikes could be heard from the Cambodian side of the border Friday, where the province of Oddar Meanchey reported one civilian -- 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, reporting 15 fatalities -- 14 civilians and a soldier -- with a further 46 wounded, including 15 troops. Fighting resumed in three areas around 4 am on Friday (2100 GMT Thursday), the Thai army said, with Cambodian forces firing heavy weapons, field artillery, and BM-21 rocket systems, and Thai troops responding "with appropriate supporting fire." Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told AFP that fighting had begun to ease off by Friday afternoon, however, adding that Bangkok was open to talks, possibly aided by Malaysia. "We are ready, if Cambodia would like to settle this matter via diplomatic channels, bilaterally, or even through Malaysia, we are ready to do that. But so far we have not had any response," Nikorndej told AFP, speaking before the UN meeting had been held. Malaysia currently holds the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc, of which Thailand and Cambodia are both members. Earlier, acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai had warned that if the situation escalated, "it could develop into war." "For now, it remains limited to clashes," he told reporters in Bangkok. - Ongoing dispute - Both sides blamed each other for firing first, while Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket. At the UN, Cambodia's envoy questioned Thailand's assertion that his country, which is smaller and less militarily developed than its neighbor, had initiated the conflict. "(The Security Council) called for both parties to (show) maximum restraint and resort to a diplomatic solution. That is what we are calling for as well," said Chhea Keo. None of the other attendees of the UNSC meeting spoke to reporters. The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbors -- both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists -- over their shared 800-kilometer (500-mile) border. Dozens of kilometers in several areas are contested and fighting broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced. A UN court ruling in 2013 settled the matter for over a decade, but the current crisis erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a new clash. - 'We are scared' - Fighting on Thursday was focused on six locations, according to the Thai army, including around two ancient temples. Ground troops backed up by tanks battled for control of territory, while Cambodia fired rockets and shells into Thailand and the Thais scrambled F-16 jets to hit military targets across the border. In the Cambodian town of Samraong, 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the border, AFP journalists saw families speeding away in vehicles with their children and belongings as gunfire erupted. "I live very close to the border. We are scared," Pro Bak, 41, told AFP. He was taking his wife and children to a Buddhist temple to seek refuge. abd-gw-aha/aks
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Politics
- Malay Mail
Cambodia calls for ‘immediate ceasefire' with Thailand after deadly border clashes
BANGKOK, July 26 — Cambodia wants an 'immediate ceasefire' with Thailand, the country's envoy to the United Nations said yesterday, after the neighbors traded deadly strikes for a second day, with Bangkok also signaling an openness to talks. A long-running border dispute erupted into intense fighting with jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops on Thursday, prompting the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis Friday. 'Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire—unconditionally—and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute,' said Phnom Penh's UN ambassador Chhea Keo following a closed meeting of the Council attended by Cambodia and Thailand. A steady thump of artillery strikes could be heard from the Cambodian side of the border Friday, where the province of Oddar Meanchey reported one civilian—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, reporting 15 fatalities -- 14 civilians and a soldier—with a further 46 wounded, including 15 troops. Fighting resumed in three areas around 4 am on Friday (2100 GMT Thursday), the Thai army said, with Cambodian forces firing heavy weapons, field artillery, and BM-21 rocket systems, and Thai troops responding 'with appropriate supporting fire.' Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told AFP that fighting had begun to ease off by Friday afternoon, however, adding that Bangkok was open to talks, possibly aided by Malaysia. 'We are ready, if Cambodia would like to settle this matter via diplomatic channels, bilaterally, or even through Malaysia, we are ready to do that. But so far we have not had any response,' Nikorndej told AFP, speaking before the UN meeting had been held. Malaysia currently holds the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc, of which Thailand and Cambodia are both members. Earlier, acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai had warned that if the situation escalated, 'it could develop into war.' 'For now, it remains limited to clashes,' he told reporters in Bangkok. Ongoing dispute Both sides blamed each other for firing first, while Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket. At the UN, Cambodia's envoy questioned Thailand's assertion that his country, which is smaller and less militarily developed than its neighbor, had initiated the conflict. '(The Security Council) called for both parties to (show) maximum restraint and resort to a diplomatic solution. That is what we are calling for as well,' said Chhea Keo. None of the other attendees of the UNSC meeting spoke to reporters. The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbors—both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists—over their shared 800-kilometer (500-mile) border. Dozens of kilometers in several areas are contested and fighting broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced. A UN court ruling in 2013 settled the matter for over a decade, but the current crisis erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a new clash. 'We are scared' Fighting on Thursday was focused on six locations, according to the Thai army, including around two ancient temples. Ground troops backed up by tanks battled for control of territory, while Cambodia fired rockets and shells into Thailand and the Thais scrambled F-16 jets to hit military targets across the border. In the Cambodian town of Samraong, 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the border, AFP journalists saw families speeding away in vehicles with their children and belongings as gunfire erupted. 'I live very close to the border. We are scared,' Pro Bak, 41, told AFP. He was taking his wife and children to a Buddhist temple to seek refuge. — AFP
CNA
4 days ago
- Politics
- CNA
Cambodia calls for ceasefire with Thailand after deadly clashes
UNITED NATIONS: Cambodia wants an "immediate ceasefire" with Thailand, the country's envoy to the United Nations said Friday (Jul 25), after the neighbours traded deadly strikes for a second day, with Bangkok also signalling an openness to talks. A long-running border dispute erupted into intense fighting with jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops on Thursday, prompting the UN Security Council to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis on Friday. "Cambodia asked for an immediate ceasefire - unconditionally - and we also call for the peaceful solution of the dispute," said Phnom Penh's UN ambassador Chhea Keo following a closed meeting of the Council attended by Cambodia and Thailand. A steady thump of artillery strikes could be heard from the Cambodian side of the border Friday, where the province of Oddar Meanchey reported one civilian - 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, reporting 15 fatalities - 14 civilians and a soldier - with a further 46 wounded, including 15 troops. Fighting resumed in three areas around 4am on Friday, the Thai army said, with Cambodian forces firing heavy weapons, field artillery, and BM-21 rocket systems, and Thai troops responding "with appropriate supporting fire". Thai Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told AFP that fighting had begun to ease off by Friday afternoon, however, adding that Bangkok was open to talks, possibly aided by Malaysia. "We are ready, if Cambodia would like to settle this matter via diplomatic channels, bilaterally, or even through Malaysia, we are ready to do that. But so far we have not had any response," Nikorndej told AFP, speaking before the UN meeting had been held. Malaysia currently holds the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc, of which Thailand and Cambodia are both members. Earlier, acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai had warned that if the situation escalated, "it could develop into war". "For now, it remains limited to clashes," he told reporters in Bangkok. ONGOING DISPUTE Both sides blamed each other for firing first, while Thailand accused Cambodia of targeting civilian infrastructure, including a hospital hit by shells and a petrol station hit by at least one rocket. At the UN, Cambodia's envoy questioned Thailand's assertion that his country, which is smaller and less militarily developed than its neighbour, had initiated the conflict. "(The Security Council) called for both parties to (show) maximum restraint and resort to a diplomatic solution. That is what we are calling for as well," said Chhea Keo. None of the other attendees of the UNSC meeting spoke to reporters. The fighting marks a dramatic escalation in a long-running dispute between the neighbours - both popular destinations for millions of foreign tourists - over their shared 800km border. Dozens of kilometres in several areas are contested, and fighting broke out between 2008 and 2011, leaving at least 28 people dead and tens of thousands displaced. A UN court ruling in 2013 settled the matter for over a decade, but the current crisis erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a new clash. "WE ARE SCARED" Fighting on Thursday was focused on six locations, according to the Thai army, including around two ancient temples. Ground troops backed up by tanks battled for control of territory, while Cambodia fired rockets and shells into Thailand and the Thais scrambled F-16 jets to hit military targets across the border. In the Cambodian town of Samraong, 20km from the border, AFP journalists saw families speeding away in vehicles with their children and belongings as gunfire erupted. "I live very close to the border. We are scared," Pro Bak, 41, told AFP.
ABC News
4 days ago
- Politics
- ABC News
Thailand says it agrees in principle to a ceasefire deal with Cambodia which has been proposed by Malaysia
Thailand's government says it agrees in principle to a ceasefire deal with Cambodia and will consider the proposal put forward by Malaysia. The worst fighting between the rival nations in more than a decade has now killed at least 20 people and left dozens of others wounded. Some 130,000 people have been forced to find safety because of the fighting, which expanded along the disputed border during the second day of clashes. Both countries blame the other for starting the conflict, with Thailand warning the skirmishes could turn into all-out war. "It must be stated that throughout the day, Cambodian forces have continued their indiscriminate attacks on Thai territory," the Thai foreign ministry said in a post on X. Before the post, Cambodia had accused Thailand of agreeing to the ceasefire deal, before backtracking. Cambodia's Prime Minister Hun Manet said Thailand's decision was "regrettable". On Friday evening, a Thailand military border commander declared martial law in eight districts on the frontier with Cambodia, citing "Cambodia's use of force to enter Thai territory". 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 said. Cambodia has no fighter aircraft and significantly less defence hardware and personnel. It has urged the UN Security Council to address what it says is Thailand's "unprovoked military aggression". It 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". Cambodia's government expressed outrage at what it said was the use of cluster munitions, calling it a clear violation of international law. Thailand's military said the country was not a party to the Convention on Cluster Munitions, but that it followed the principle of proportionality "to enhance explosive destruction capabilities against military targets only". People living near the conflict zones on both sides of the border have been forced to flee. Nut Sokkheng, 62, said she and her grandson were injured in fighting which broke out about 4km from Ta Moan, one of the disputed temples along the border. "I have suffered injuries on my left leg and my grandson broke his right leg. Please help him. He is young and still studies," she said. Nhib Saran, 62, said he was leaving home for an evacuation area after fighting came close to his home in Samrong district, Uddar Meanchey province. "I want to leave home, go far from the gunshots from Thailand because I am afraid … in this war, there have been big airstrikes. I am afraid of staying home, so I take my children out of the firing area," he said. Thai farmer Jeenjana Phapan fled her village with her three-year-old son after shells landed in the rice field behind their house. She left her husband behind to care for their cows and protect their home. "I hope my husband can hide if more shells come," she said. South-East Asia expert at the Centre for Strategic and International Studies think-tank, Andreyka Natalegawa, told the ABC neither country could afford a full-blown war. He said it was important to quickly get an independent fact-finder, or neutral observer, to get to the bottom of what sparked the latest round of violence "in a bid to bring these events to a more calm state." There has never been a war between two member states of the Association of South East Asian Nation (ASEAN) bloc, but he said this conflict presented a challenge to the institution. "There's a real impetus for parties like Malaysia, as well as other ASEAN member states, including Indonesia and Philippines, Singapore, to take a more firm stance and to actively engage with their counterparts on both sides in pursuit of seeking a resolution," Mr Natalegawa said. "This current crisis and the prospect of current skirmishes emerging into something greater poses a real dire challenge to the institution." Thailand had not shown interest in third-party mediation, despite saying it would consider Malaysia's peace proposal. Mr Natalegawa said that was in line with the country's previous desire to achieve a bilateral solution to tension. He said the ceasefire proposal was an important step by the ASEAN chair, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. "The question will just be whether there's any appetite on both sides to engage in this sort of mediation," he said. ABC/wires
