Only a few hours after the United States (U.S.) President Donald Trump stated that the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand had agreed to work on a ceasefire, the two countries accused each other of artillery attacks across disputed border areas yesterday.
According to media reports, Cambodia claims it fully supports Trump’s call for an immediate ceasefire, while Thailand says that although it is grateful to the U.S. President, it cannot begin negotiations while Cambodia is targeting civilians, a claim Phnom Penh has denied.
“Our condition is that we do not want a third country involved, but we are grateful for his (Trump’s) concern,” said Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai to reporters before heading to visit the border areas.
“We have proposed a bilateral meeting between our foreign ministers to finalize the conditions for a ceasefire and the withdrawal of troops and long-range weapons,” he added.
Cambodia asserted that Thailand initiated hostilities early yesterday morning and that Thai forces are mobilizing along the border. Thailand states it responded to attacks from Cambodia.
“I made it clear to the esteemed President Donald Trump that Cambodia agrees with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces,” said Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Facebook, noting that he had also agreed to an earlier ceasefire proposal from Malaysia.
Four days after the worst fighting in over a decade erupted between the Southeast Asian neighbors, the death toll has surpassed 30, including 13 civilians in Thailand and eight in Cambodia. More than 200.000 people have been evacuated from border areas in the two countries, authorities said.
Cambodia’s Ministry of Defense states that on Sunday morning, Thailand shelled and launched ground attacks on multiple points along the border. A ministry spokesperson said heavy artillery was fired at historic temple complexes.
The Thai military stated that Cambodian forces fired on several areas early yesterday morning, including near civilian homes, and that they are mobilizing long-range rocket launchers. The governor of Surin said that shells were fired into the province.
“Soldiers will continue to do their job at full speed – so Thai people need not worry – until the government reaches a clear agreement that there is no danger to the people and that we ensure the protection of the country’s interests in order to bring about the peace we wish to see,” said Phumtham.
On Saturday, Trump stated that he had spoken with the prime ministers of Thailand and Cambodia and that they had agreed to meet immediately to quickly arrange a ceasefire and end the fighting that began on Thursday. Bangkok and Phnom Penh claim the other side started the hostilities last week.
