BANGKOK, July 25 (TNA) – Thailand’s acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, today welcomed Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim’s offer to mediate a ceasefire in the ongoing border conflict with Cambodia.
However, Phumtham stressed that Cambodia must demonstrate clear sincerity, accusing Phnom Penh of initiating provocations and cross-border attacks.Phumtham’s remarks followed Anwar’s Facebook post, where the ASEAN Chair stated he had discussed the border situation with both Phumtham and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet.
Phumtham said he agreed a way should be found to end the clashes, but for a ceasefire, there must be clarity from Cambodia. He asserted that Thailand has sought negotiations without success and that the current conflict stemmed from Cambodian forces firing into Thai territory, violating a prior agreement by deploying armed troops to Ta Muen Thom temple.
Phumtham revealed that while Anwar called him yesterday evening, events this morning were “unacceptable,” as Cambodia opened four major fronts within Thailand’s Second Army Region, covering Buriram, Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces.
He condemned Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen and held Prime Minister Hun Manet jointly responsible for attacks he claimed targeted civilians, citing a shell at a gas station convenience store and a direct hit on Phon Dong Rak Hospital as severe violations of international law.
The Thai-Cambodian border conflict entered its second day, with hostilities commencing in the early hours around the Ta Muen Thom and Ta Khwai temples in Phanom Dong Rak district, Surin province. Fighting has since expanded along the entire border. Loud and continuous artillery fire has been reported.
As of 9:00 AM today (July 25), the Ministry of Public Health reported 14 fatalities and 31 injuries among civilians affected by the border conflict.
In addition, Phumtham stated that Cambodia must be held accountable for acts that constitute war crimes. He also confirmed the approval of an additional 100 million baht in funding for border provinces and an increase in compensation for fatalities to 1 million baht, with compensation for injuries to be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Royal Thai Army spokesman Major General Winthai Suvaree has vehemently denied accusations by Cambodian media that Thailand used F-16 fighter jets to attack civilian areas in Cambodia.
He affirmed that Thai military operations primarily target military objectives and are conducted in accordance with international law and humanitarian principles. – 819 (TNA)
