Latest news with #Wechayachai
Irish Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- Irish Independent
Thailand and Cambodia agree ‘unconditional' ceasefire following talks
The ceasefire is a significant breakthrough to resolve five days of deadly border clashes that have killed dozens and displaced tens of thousands of people. Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet and Thai acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai hailed the outcome of the meeting and they shook hands along with Mr Anwar at the conclusion of the brief press conference in Malaysia. The fighting began on Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Both sides blamed each other for starting the clashes, that have killed at least 35 people and displaced more than 260,000 people on both sides. Mr Hun Manet and Mr Wechayachai have agreed to an 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' with effect from midnight local time, Mr Anwar said as he read out a joint statement. Mr Anwar, who hosted the talks as annual chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional bloc, said both sides have reached a common understanding to take steps to return to normalcy following what he called frank discussions. 'This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security,' he said. As part of the ceasefire deal, military commanders from both sides will hold talks today to defuse tensions while Cambodia will host a border committee meeting on August 4, he said. The foreign and defence ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand have also been instructed to 'develop a detailed mechanism' to implement and monitor the ceasefire to ensure sustained peace, he added. Mr Hun said he hoped that bilateral ties could return to normal soon so that 300,000 villagers evacuated on both sides could return home. It is 'time to start rebuilding trust, confidence and co-operation going forward between Thailand and Cambodia,' he said. Mr Wechayachai said the outcome reflected 'Thailand's desire for a peaceful resolution'. The Malaysian meeting followed direct pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has warned that the US may not proceed with trade deals with either country if hostilities continue. The joint statement said that the US is a co-organiser of the talks, with participation from China. The Chinese and American ambassadors to Malaysia attended the meeting that lasted over two hours. In a press statement, US secretary of state Marco Rubio, who was involved in arranging the meeting, applauded the ceasefire declaration. Mr Rubio said he and Mr Trump 'are committed to an immediate cessation of violence and expect the governments of Cambodia and Thailand to fully honour their commitments to end this conflict'. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted news of the ceasefire on X and wrote: 'President Trump made this happen. Give him the Nobel Peace Prize!' Mr Wechayachai said after his return to Bangkok that Mr Trump had called to offer congratulations for making a move toward peace and said that Thailand's talks with Washington to set tariff levels on Thai exports could now proceed and that he would seek to make them as favourable as possible.
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Thailand-Cambodia border tensions ease after ceasefire deal
BANGKOK: The Thailand-Cambodia border has stabilised after minor military clashes, with a ceasefire now in effect, acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai confirmed on Tuesday. Military commanders from both nations are scheduled to meet at 10 a.m. local time (0300 GMT) to discuss further steps in upholding the truce. The agreement was initially announced in Malaysia on Monday, signalling a de-escalation of tensions between the neighbouring countries. 'Both sides are committed to maintaining peace along the border,' Wechayachai told reporters. The recent skirmishes had raised concerns over a potential escalation, but the swift ceasefire has eased immediate fears. The talks aim to solidify the terms of the truce and prevent further confrontations. Observers note that diplomatic efforts, including mediation by Malaysia, played a crucial role in diffusing the situation. - Reuters
Miami Herald
5 days ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
US Ally Thailand Warns of War With Chinese-Backed Neighbor
Thailand's acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned that the escalating clashes with Cambodia could descend into a full war, as the two sides exchanged artillery fire in a second day of violence along the disputed border. "This present incident of aggression is escalating and could develop to the stage of war," Wechayachai told the media in Bangkok, The Guardian reported. "However, right now we are still at altercation level, battling with heavy weapons. What we have done so far [is] to protect our land and [the] sovereignty of our nation." Thailand is a major non-NATO ally of the U.S., while Cambodia is one of China's closest regional allies. The two countries began fighting after a recent dispute over landmines erupted into exchanges of fire on Thursday, July 24, with each side accusing the other of initiating the current hostilities. Thai officials said there were a number of civilian casualties as a result of Cambodian artillery fire. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow. Related Articles How Thailand and Cambodia's Militaries CompareMap Shows Where Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes Are Taking PlaceChina Reacts to Deadly Thailand, Cambodia Border FightThailand, Cambodia Exchange Fire Around Ancient Temples 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Al-Ahram Weekly
5 days ago
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Thailand warns of war with Cambodia as 138,000 flee fighting - International
Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned Friday that cross-border clashes with Cambodia that have uprooted more than 130,000 people "could develop into war", as the countries traded deadly strikes for a second day. A long-running border dispute erupted into intense fighting with jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops on Thursday, and the UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis later Friday. 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. "We have tried to compromise as we are neighbours, but we have now instructed the Thai military to act immediately in case of urgency," said Wechayachai. "If the situation escalates, it could develop into war -- though for now, it remains limited to clashes," he told reporters in Bangkok. Fighting resumed in three areas around 4:00 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". 'Deeply distressing' By the afternoon, foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told AFP there were signs the fighting was easing off, and said Thailand 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. Malaysia currently holds the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc, of which Thailand and Cambodia are both members. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said casualties were "deeply distressing" and called for the crisis to be "approached calmly and handled properly". Cambodia has stayed tight-lipped about its casualty numbers, but AFP journalists saw four wounded soldiers and three civilians receiving treatment at a hospital in Oddar Meanchey. The soldiers said they were injured during the fighting on Thursday, while the civilians said they were hit by shrapnel. In the Cambodian town of Samraong, 20 kilometres (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. Long-running dispute 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 800-kilometre (500-mile) frontier. 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. 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. 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. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
eNCA
5 days ago
- Politics
- eNCA
Thailand warns of war with Cambodia as 138,000 flee fighting
THAILAND - Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned Friday that cross-border clashes with Cambodia that have uprooted more than 130,000 people "could develop into war", as the countries traded deadly strikes for a second day. A long-running border dispute erupted into intense fighting with jets, artillery, tanks and ground troops on Thursday, and the UN Security Council is set to hold an emergency meeting on the crisis later Friday. 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. "We have tried to compromise as we are neighbours, but we have now instructed the Thai military to act immediately in case of urgency," said Wechayachai. "If the situation escalates, it could develop into war - though for now, it remains limited to clashes," he told reporters in Bangkok. Fighting resumed in three areas around 4:00 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". But in the afternoon, foreign ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told AFP there were signs the fighting was easing off, and said Thailand was open to talks, possibly aided by Malaysia. AFP | TANG CHHIN Sothy "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. Malaysia currently holds the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc, of which Thailand and Cambodia are both members. - 'Positive signs' - Cambodia has stayed tight-lipped about its casualty numbers, but AFP journalists saw four wounded soldiers and three civilians receiving treatment at a hospital in Oddar Meanchey. AFP | John SAEKI, Nicholas SHEARMAN The soldiers said they were injured during the fighting on Thursday, while the civilians said they were hit by shrapnel. In the Cambodian town of Samraong, 20 kilometres (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. - Calls for calm - AFP | STR 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 800-kilometre (500-mile) frontier. 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. Fighting on Thursday was focused on six locations, according to the Thai army, including around two ancient temples. AFP | TANG CHHIN Sothy 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. 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. AFP | Watsamon TRI-YASAKDA
