Commanders of both sides expected to meet today to de-escalate situation
Tensions remained high along the Thai-Cambodian border Tuesday despite a ceasefire officially taking effect last night, according to local media reports.
Commanders from the militaries of both sides were expected to meet during the day to de-escalate the situation, but the meeting has been postponed several times due to scheduling conflicts with senior Cambodian military officials.
In a statement issued early Tuesday, the Royal Thai Armed Forces reaffirmed Thailand’s strict compliance with the ceasefire, asserting that all offensive actions were halted in line with commitments made by both governments, the local media outlet Khaosod English reported.
However, Thai military spokesperson Maj. Gen. Vithai Laithomya accused Cambodian forces of violating the ceasefire by continuing attacks on Thai territory at several points beyond the ceasefire deadline.
“When we stop, but they do not…the world must know that Cambodia is the violator,” he said.
Cambodia denied the accusations however and said they are holding to the ceasefire.
Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Lieut. Gen. Maly Socheata said the ceasefire agreement brokered in Kuala Lumpur between Cambodia and Thailand is being fully respected on the ground, with no gunfire heard along the border since shortly after midnight, the Khmer Times reported.
“The armed forces of both Cambodia and Thailand must implement this ceasefire, refrain from any troop movement and remain stationed at their current positions after the agreement. Working groups will be established to engage in discussions,” she said.
Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai also confirmed that skirmishes persist and called Cambodian soldiers “undisciplined”
"The Thai military is quite disciplined, but (with) the Cambodian side…their soldiers lack discipline. We are doing our duty correctly, and in the future, we need to talk further. Today at 10 am, the army commanders of both countries will hold discussions. Coordination is underway, and after the talks, the ceasefire should be much clearer," he said.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced the ceasefire Monday after hosting a meeting between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham.
It came after an armed conflict along the disputed border which resulted in the deaths of dozens of people, including soldiers.
Hun said some 300,000 people had been displaced on the two sides of the border in the past five days due to cross-border airstrikes and rocket fire.
The Southeast Asian neighbors are embroiled in a border dispute along Cambodia’s Preah Vihear province and Thailand's northeastern province of Ubon Ratchathani, with renewed tensions since May 28, when a Cambodian soldier was killed.
