Latest news with #PhumthamWechayachai
The Star
14-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thai DPM Phumtham says Thai-Cambodian leaders have resolved tensions, urges calm ahead of Joint Boundary Commission talks
BANGKOK: Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (pic) stated on Friday (June 14) that the top leaders of Thailand and Cambodia have already spoken to resolve misunderstandings regarding the recent border tensions. He expressed confidence that after the upcoming Thai-Cambodian Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) meeting on June 14, border operations—including the opening and closing of crossings—will return to normal along the entire frontier. 'There has been criticism from individuals not directly involved in the negotiations, which only worsens misunderstandings,' Phumtham said. 'We want to maintain good relations. The situation has calmed, and we should preserve the atmosphere for constructive dialogue.' He stressed that border operations should return to normal through the Regional Border Committee (RBC) mechanism, which allows both sides to discuss logistical details. 'At the same time, we must strengthen diplomatic ties and promote joint economic development. The world is already facing widespread instability; we must avoid further conflict,' he added, urging the public to rely solely on official information from the two governments. When asked about Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen's recent Facebook posts alleging that the Thai government cannot control certain elements within its military, Phumtham said the issue is being clarified and is expected to improve as discussions continue. He reiterated the importance of avoiding misinformation and noted that both sides are working to ensure a shared understanding at all levels. Separately, Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, commander of the 2nd Army Region, responded that the issue is political in nature, describing Cambodia's actions as an attempt to manage domestic sentiment. He affirmed that the Thai military remains unfazed by the speculation. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Thai defence minister unfazed by Cambodia's ICJ plan, says Thailand ready with response measures
BANGKOK: Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai (pic) on Wednesday (June 11) brushed aside Cambodia's move to file a case with the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding four disputed border areas, affirming that Thailand is already prepared with appropriate response measures. His remarks came after Phnom Penh set up a committee to prepare documents for filing a complaint with the ICJ over the disputed border areas, including the Mom Bei area and the temples of Ta Moan Thom, Ta Moan Tauch, and Ta Krabei. In response, Phumtham said it is within Cambodia's right to proceed with legal action, but reiterated that Thailand has not accepted the ICJ's jurisdiction in such matters since the administration of former Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin. 'Let the matter proceed through due process,' he said. When asked whether the issue would affect the upcoming Joint Boundary Committee (JBC) meeting scheduled for Saturday (June 14), Phumtham acknowledged that the dispute is unlikely to be resolved swiftly. He added that both the Royal Thai Army and the 2nd Army Region were in agreement to maintain the current system of controlling the opening and closing of border checkpoints in each area, confirming that measures have not been escalated. Phumtham stressed that the border with Cambodia has not been completely shut but is subject to scheduled openings and limitations on the number of people crossing. He expressed confidence that the situation would gradually improve, citing increased communication between Thai and Cambodian troops on the ground and proposals for joint patrols and collaborative activities. When asked whether Cambodia's move resembled the earlier case involving the Preah Vihear Temple, Phumtham said the Preah Vihear issue was unrelated to the current tension, although the previous case could offer some lessons. As for the Thailand Watch Foundation's suggestion to replace the current head of negotiations—who was also involved during the Preah Vihear dispute—Phumtham argued that someone familiar with the issue and the local context would best understand the current situation. 'The government will listen to the facts and reasons. This is not about personal preferences or who likes whom. It's about addressing the national interest. We must prioritise what's best for the country,' he said. Asked if Cambodia's unilateral filing would have any impact, Phumtham said it was difficult to predict. He added that any legal matters would be handled by the Department of Treaties and Legal Affairs. He confirmed that Thailand has already prepared contingency plans. "How could we not be prepared in a time of national crisis? We are ready. Further details will be provided in due course," he concluded. - The Nation/ANN
The Star
11-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Cambodia-Thailand border talks drag on
THE country's defence ministry has said that the country's troops haven't withdrawn from a patch of land whose ownership is hotly disputed by neighbouring Thailand, but the declaration also echoed recent statements by both sides seeking a peaceful resolution to their competing border claims. Cambodian and Thai authorities engaged in saber-rattling last week after an armed confrontation at the border on May 28 left one Cambodian soldier dead. The incident, which each side blamed on the other, reportedly took place in a relatively small 'no man's land' constituting territory along their border that both countries claim is theirs. A declaration by the Cambodian defence ministry on Monday had 'No Withdrawal of Troops' as its first principle. It said that 'Cambodian forces have not been withdrawn from any areas under Cambodian sovereignty where they have been stationed for an extended period'. The wording left unclear exactly which positions had been occupied for 'an extended period'. His statement also reaffirmed Cambodia's territorial claims covering not only the spot near Morakot village in Cambodia's north-western province of Preah Vihear where the soldier was killed, but also three other pieces of disputed land. Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Seiha himself on Sunday had painted a slightly different picture, stating that Cambodia and Thai military leaders had met and decided to adjust the military forces of both sides to return to appropriate areas in order to reduce tension. His statement appeared to be in accord with what Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai announced on Sunday, that both sides had withdrawn their forces to where they had been in 2024. That came after Thailand began shutting or limiting crossing hours at some of the numerous checkpoints along the countries' common border. The tough talk on both sides appeared aimed mostly at drumming up nationalist support among their own domestic audiences. — AP
Time of India
10-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Thailand tightens border controls for tourists after Cambodia clash
Live Events Thailand temporarily closed its biggest border crossing with Cambodia to local tourists on Saturday after a Cambodian soldier was killed in a recent military clash between the two uneasy has been sporadic violence on the Thai-Cambodia frontier since fighting first broke out in 2008, resulting in at least 28 deaths.A Cambodian soldier was killed in the most recent outbreak on May 28 in an area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos Thai and Cambodian militaries agreed to ease tensions the following day but Cambodia then said it would keep its troops in the area, despite Thailand urging it to withdraw.(Join our ETNRI WhatsApp channel for all the latest updates)The Royal Thai Army took control of the "opening and closing" of all border crossings it shares with Cambodia on Saturday, citing a "threat to Thailand's sovereignty and security".The 1st Army Region banned the passage of six-wheeled trucks and reduced the operating hours of the border crossing between Aranyaprathet in Thailand's southeast and Poipet in Cambodia's said in a statement on Saturday that Thais and Cambodians would only be allowed to cross for work and trade Aranyaprathet-Poipet border crossing sees the most land traffic between the two countries with several thousand people using it each day, many of them Thais going to gamble at casinos on the Cambodian Royal Thai Army told AFP that the restrictions only applied to citizens of the two countries but that implementation "may vary from place to place".Six other border checkpoints tightened their opening hours and issued bans on six-wheeled Thai army said trade remained unaffected and Cambodian workers were still permitted to enter Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Phumtham Wechayachai said in a statement on Saturday it was "deeply regrettable" that Cambodia had "rejected" the proposal to withdraw its armed forces after the May 28 Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Monday the kingdom would file a complaint with the International Court of Justice over the border authorities said a Joint Boundary Committee would meet next week to resolve the issue.
The Star
09-06-2025
- Politics
- The Star
Forces to resume previous posts
Keeping watch: Police officers standing guard outside the Royal Embassy of Cambodia in Bangkok, following a recent border clash between Thailand and Cambodia, in this file photo. — Reuters The country's Defence Ministry confirmed that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to return their troops to previous border positions after a clash in which a Cambodian soldier was killed prompted both to reinforce their military presence. The Cambodian statement, which said both sides wished to ease tensions following the incident in an undemarcated area on May 28, came after Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said both countries were in talks to defuse the situation and would revert to positions agreed in 2024. For days, the two governments have exchanged statements, saying they were committed to finding a peaceful resolution. Neither gave details about where or to what extent their military forces had been reinforced at the weekend. Thailand operates 17 official border crossings with Cambodia, spanning seven provinces along their shared 817km frontier, Thai government data shows. Both countries have for more than a century contested sovereignty at undemarcated points along their shared border, which was mapped by France in 1907 when Cambodia was its colony. Thailand's Phumtham said both sides hoped the border issue could be fully resolved through bilateral talks, including a meeting of the Joint Boundary Committee on June 14. Cambodia's Foreign Ministry reiterated a request to bring the border disputes to the International Court of Justice in a letter to Thai officials on June 6. 'Given the complexity, historical nature, and sensitivity of these disputes, it is increasingly evident that bilateral dialogue alone may no longer suffice to bring about a comprehensive and lasting solution,' Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn said in the note shared with reporters on Sunday. 'A decision rendered by the ICJ, grounded in international law, would offer a fair, impartial, and durable resolution,' he said. The Thai government has said it does not recognise the court's jurisdiction and proposed that all boundary-related issues be resolved through bilateral negotiations. Tensions between the countries escalated in 2008 over an 11th-century Hindu temple, leading to skirmishes over several years and at least a dozen deaths, including during a week-long exchange of artillery in 2011. In the latest flare up, Thailand cut operating hours at 10 border crossings with Cambodia, citing security concerns. Checkpoints, including the busiest in Thailand's eastern province of Sa Kaeo, halved operating hours on Sunday to 8am to 4pm local time, from 6am to 10pm, previously, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told reporters. The governments of Thailand and Cambodia previously enjoyed warmer ties, owing to a friendship between former leaders, Thaksin Shinawatra from Thailand and Cambodia's Hun Sen. Thaksin's daughter, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, and Hun Sen's son, Hun Manet, are now the incumbent prime ministers of their countries and the conflict has raised questions over their relationship. — Reuters
