Latest news with #borderTensions
NHK
2 days ago
- Politics
- NHK
Thai PM's popularity tumbles to 9.2% amid Cambodia row
A new survey shows Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's popularity has plunged, with just 9.2 percent of respondents saying they support her. Criticism has been growing over her handling of recent border tensions with Cambodia. The poll, conducted by the National Institute of Development Administration, asked 2,500 people who they think is best suited to lead Thailand, with the country facing ongoing political turbulence. The results, published Sunday, show Paetongtarn's support has tumbled from 30.9 percent in the same survey back in March. Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the opposition People's Party tops the latest poll with 31.48 percent, up from 25.8 percent in the previous survey. Thousands of protesters rallied in Bangkok on Saturday calling for Paetongtarn's resignation. She's facing backlash over a leaked phone call with Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen. During their conversation about the border disputes, she seemed to disparage a Thai Army commander. Earlier in June, a group of senators filed a petition with Thailand's Constitutional Court demanding the prime minister be removed from office. The court is expected to decide Tuesday whether to take up the case.
South China Morning Post
3 days ago
- Politics
- South China Morning Post
The Lens: Tensions escalate between Cambodia and Thailand
Thoughts from last week Praveen Sathappan Narayanan, 11, Island School Praveen Sathappan Narayanan attends Island School. Photo: Handout Tensions are high between Cambodia and Thailand following the death of a Cambodian soldier in May in a disputed border area between the two countries. I believe the long-term implications of this situation could lead to increased conflict, economic strain from trade restrictions and regional instability. Additionally, it may result in heightened discrimination against Cambodian immigrants in Thailand, exacerbating social issues. To reach a compromise, both countries should engage in bilateral talks to address the situation, possibly involving neutral parties or organisations, such as the United Nations, to help ease tensions. I think Cambodia's decision to take the incident to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) was appropriate, as involving a third party could help mitigate tensions. However, I believe Cambodia should have prioritised bilateral talks with Thailand before engaging with the ICJ, as the court's involvement further complicates the situation. Recently, Thailand has imposed border restrictions on Cambodia as a means of exerting economic pressure. At the same time, Cambodia has responded by banning Thai dramas, closing a popular border checkpoint and cutting internet bandwidth from Thailand. I disagree with both countries' actions, as these measures, presented as being in the interest of national welfare, ultimately harm their citizens. Cambodia and Thailand must prioritise immediate dialogue despite their historical disputes. While involvement with the ICJ can provide some relief, constructive dialogue is essential. Trade bans only exacerbate the situation and negatively impact citizens. Collaborative efforts are crucial for fostering peace and stability in the region. Read up on this issue in last week's The Lens Thank you for your participation in The Lens! Thank you for your participation in The Lens! The Lens is a way for students to connect with global issues and topics. It encourages you to think critically and articulate your opinions. The Lens lets us step out of our bubble in Hong Kong and learn about problems around the world. The Lens will not be featured in the summer editions of Young Post. But we are grateful for the dozens of amazing submissions and responses from our Junior Reporters. But don't worry – Young Post always has plenty of opportunities for budding journalists! You can still write for other columns this summer, such as Face Off! If you want to be even more involved, you can apply to become a Junior Reporter using this link. We look forward to seeing more of your writing in the coming school year!
Bloomberg
6 days ago
- Politics
- Bloomberg
India Presses China to Demarcate Disputed Himalayan Border
Sign up for the India Edition newsletter by Menaka Doshi – an insider's guide to the emerging economic powerhouse, and the billionaires and businesses behind its rise, delivered weekly. India's defense minister Rajnath Singh pressed his Chinese counterpart to move forward on demarcating the disputed Himalayan frontier, in a bid to ease border tensions and strengthen ties between the world's two most populous nations.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Cambodia ex-leader Hun Sen and Thailand's prime minister make separate visits to tense border areas
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's powerful former leader Hun Sen and Thailand's prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on Thursday made separate visits to border areas as the two countries remain locked in an ongoing dispute that has resulted in strict land crossing restrictions and several economic boycotts. Hun Sun and Paetongtarn didn't meet. Relations between the neighboring nations have deteriorated following an armed confrontation on May 28 in which one Cambodian soldier was killed in contested territory along their border. While the two sides have agreed to de-escalate their dispute, they have continued to implement or threaten measures that have kept tensions high. Hun Sen posted on his social media after the visit that more troops and weapons have been mobilized to several border areas between Cambodia and Thailand after the clash. He said that soldiers 'are constantly prepared to defend the territory in case of any invasion by the Thai army.' He did not elaborate on when exactly the reinforcement happened, or how many soldiers and what kinds of weapons were deployed. But days after the dispute erupted, several videos of tanks and armed forces were filmed and posted on social media as they moved past Phnom Penh. Hun Sen, who ruled Cambodia for nearly four decades, was seen wearing a military uniform, shaking hands with military commanders and government officials who waited to greet him as he got off a military helicopter. It was the first time that he paid a visit to the border since the latest conflict was triggered. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet visited the troops and civilians at the border on Monday. Hun Sen remains powerful although he stepped down as Cambodia's prime minister in August 2023 and handed over power to Hun Manet, his oldest son. Hun Sen continues to hold several major positions in the country, including Senate president. Thai regional army commander Boonsin Padklang, who's in charge of the area where the clash happened, told reporters earlier this week that he was aware of Cambodia's reinforcements along the border, and that the Thai forces were also ready to secure the border situation if necessary. He didn't say whether Thailand had also deployed more troops and weapons to the border. The Thai army this week imposed heightened restrictions at border checkpoints with Cambodia following an order from Paetongtarn to allow only students, medical patients and others with essential needs to enter or leave Thailand. That also makes it impossible for thousands of tourists to cross between the two countries. Paetongtarn on Thursday made a visit to the border town of Aranyaprathet, a major trade hub between Thailand and Cambodia that has felt much of the impact from retaliatory measures from both sides. She met with troops and local authorities, and visited a school to discuss the effects of the new restrictions Cambodia's government has accused Thailand of escalating tensions with new land crossing restrictions. Cambodia has boycotted some Thai internet services, banned Thai fruits and vegetables, and blocked electricity and fuel supplies from Thailand in response to the border dispute. Prior to the boycott, Cambodia imported 30% of its gasoline and other fuel from Thailand. Last week, a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen set off political turmoil in Thailand, shattering Paetongtarn's already fragile coalition government and triggering a string of investigations that could lead to her removal. There is a long history of territorial disputes between the two countries. Thailand is still rattled by a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded Cambodia the disputed territory where the historic Preah Vihear temple stands. There were sporadic though serious clashes there in 2011. The ruling from the U.N. court was reaffirmed in 2013. Cambodia said that it's seeking a ruling for several border dispute areas again from the ICJ. Thailand has said that it doesn't accept the jurisdiction of the ICJ and called for Cambodia to resolve the conflict through existing bilateral mechanisms. Officials from the two countries have scheduled a joint committee meeting for September to resolve the border tensions. Both sides met earlier this month, but failed to achieve any major breakthrough. ___ Jintamas Saksornchai reported from Bangkok. Sopheng Cheang And Jintamas Saksornchai, The Associated Press Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Associated Press
7 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Cambodia ex-leader Hun Sen and Thailand's prime minister make separate visits to tense border areas
PHNOM PENH, Cambodia (AP) — Cambodia's powerful former leader Hun Sen and Thailand's prime minister, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, on Thursday made separate visits to border areas as the two countries remain locked in an ongoing dispute that has resulted in strict land crossing restrictions and several economic boycotts. Hun Sun and Paetongtarn didn't meet. Relations between the neighboring nations have deteriorated following an armed confrontation on May 28 in which one Cambodian soldier was killed in contested territory along their border. While the two sides have agreed to de-escalate their dispute, they have continued to implement or threaten measures that have kept tensions high. Hun Sen posted on his social media after the visit that more troops and weapons have been mobilized to several border areas between Cambodia and Thailand after the clash. He said that soldiers 'are constantly prepared to defend the territory in case of any invasion by the Thai army.' He did not elaborate on when exactly the reinforcement happened, or how many soldiers and what kinds of weapons were deployed. But days after the dispute erupted, several videos of tanks and armed forces were filmed and posted on social media as they moved past Phnom Penh. Hun Sen, who ruled Cambodia for nearly four decades, was seen wearing a military uniform, shaking hands with military commanders and government officials who waited to greet him as he got off a military helicopter. It was the first time that he paid a visit to the border since the latest conflict was triggered. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet visited the troops and civilians at the border on Monday. Hun Sen remains powerful although he stepped down as Cambodia's prime minister in August 2023 and handed over power to Hun Manet, his oldest son. Hun Sen continues to hold several major positions in the country, including Senate president. Thai regional army commander Boonsin Padklang, who's in charge of the area where the clash happened, told reporters earlier this week that he was aware of Cambodia's reinforcements along the border, and that the Thai forces were also ready to secure the border situation if necessary. He didn't say whether Thailand had also deployed more troops and weapons to the border. The Thai army this week imposed heightened restrictions at border checkpoints with Cambodia following an order from Paetongtarn to allow only students, medical patients and others with essential needs to enter or leave Thailand. That also makes it impossible for thousands of tourists to cross between the two countries. Paetongtarn on Thursday made a visit to the border town of Aranyaprathet, a major trade hub between Thailand and Cambodia that has felt much of the impact from retaliatory measures from both sides. She met with troops and local authorities, and visited a school to discuss the effects of the new restrictions Cambodia's government has accused Thailand of escalating tensions with new land crossing restrictions. Cambodia has boycotted some Thai internet services, banned Thai fruits and vegetables, and blocked electricity and fuel supplies from Thailand in response to the border dispute. Prior to the boycott, Cambodia imported 30% of its gasoline and other fuel from Thailand. Last week, a leaked phone call between Paetongtarn and Hun Sen set off political turmoil in Thailand, shattering Paetongtarn's already fragile coalition government and triggering a string of investigations that could lead to her removal. There is a long history of territorial disputes between the two countries. Thailand is still rattled by a 1962 International Court of Justice ruling that awarded Cambodia the disputed territory where the historic Preah Vihear temple stands. There were sporadic though serious clashes there in 2011. The ruling from the U.N. court was reaffirmed in 2013. Cambodia said that it's seeking a ruling for several border dispute areas again from the ICJ. Thailand has said that it doesn't accept the jurisdiction of the ICJ and called for Cambodia to resolve the conflict through existing bilateral mechanisms. Officials from the two countries have scheduled a joint committee meeting for September to resolve the border tensions. Both sides met earlier this month, but failed to achieve any major breakthrough. ___ Jintamas Saksornchai reported from Bangkok.
