Latest news with #borderdispute
Associated Press
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Thai prime minister visits border with Cambodia after leaked conversation triggers resignation calls
BANGKOK (AP) — Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra visited the border with Cambodia on Friday as she faced resignation calls following a leaked phone call between her and Cambodia's former leader discussing recent border tensions. Paetongtarn traveled to a border town in northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province, near a small contested territory with Cambodia where a brief confrontation between the two sides on May 28 killed one Cambodian soldier. A statement from Thailand's Government House said Paetongtarn's visit was aimed at boosting morale among soldiers who are working hard to protect the country's sovereignty and interests. Several groups of activists said Friday that they would rally next week to demand Paetongtarn's resignation. Cambodia's Senate President Hun Sen on Wednesday released a 17-minute recording of a conversation with Paetongtarn. She could be heard telling Hun Sen not to listen to 'an opponent' in Thailand. It's believed to be a reference to regional Thai army commander Boonsin Padklang, who had publicly criticized Cambodia over the border dispute. Before the leak, Paetongtarn had already been criticized for a perceived soft stance toward Cambodia, especially by right-wing nationalists who are longtime foes of her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. During Friday's visit, Paetongtarn was filmed walking alongside Boonsin, the commander of the 2nd army area who oversees the border area including the site of the recent clash, in an apparent display of unity between the government and the military. Thailand's military plays a major role in politics. It has staged 13 coups since Thailand became a constitutional monarchy in 1932. Paetongtarn's father, Thaksin, was ousted in a coup in 2006, and Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, who became prime minister in 2011, was also toppled by the military in 2014.
Times of Oman
7 hours ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
After call with Cambodia leader made public, Thai PM set to defuse tensions with Army commander
Bangkok: Thailand Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is set to visit on Friday a senior army official whom she called an "opponent" in a leaked phone call with former Cambodian leader Hun Sen that sparked a political uproar with demands for her resignation. Paetongtarn is set to visit Chong Bok, an area in the north-east Thailand, to mend fences with the Second Army Region Commander Lt Gen Boonsin Padklang, local media outlet Bangkok Post reported. The 38-year-old Prime Minister who assumed office less than a year ago had to issue a public apology on June 19 after Cambodian leader Hun Sen released online her telephone conversation with him. In the June 15 telephone conversation to discuss the recent border clash between Thailand and Cambodia in which one Cambodian soldier was killed, Paetongtarn had addressed Hun Sen, as "uncle" and referred to Lt Gen Padklang as an adversary. Lt Gen Padklang is responsible for almost the entire land border with Cambodia with the Thai government has handed him full authority to oversee all checkpoints bordering the neighbouring country. The army official in an interview with 'The Standard' as cited by The Bangkok Post said that Paetongtarn had called him to apologise over the incident. He further said that he had advised the Thailand PM to "be mindful" and support the national interest with a moral policy when handling the border dispute with Cambodia. Following the leaked call, the conservative Bhumjaithai party on Wednesday announced its exit from the Pheu Thai-led coaliton in Thailand on Wednesday, accusing her of disrespecting Thailand's military and compromising national sovereignty. This left Paetongtarn's ruling coalition with a very thin majority in the country's 500-seat parliament. Thailand has formally protested to Cambodia about the leak, calling it a breach of diplomatic protocol that had damaged trust between the two sides. The motivations for the Cambodian leader to post the entire contents of his call with the Thai PM remains unclear. However, a report in The Nation stated that the 33-year relationship between Thaksin Shinawatra, Paetongtarn's father and Cambodian leader Hun Sen has evolved from mutual suspicion into a fraternal bond, only to end abruptly due to political reasons. Hun Sen, who ruled Cambodia for almost four decades was succeeded in the 2023 by his son, Hun Manet who is now the country's current prime minister. While, Thaksin Shinawatra returned to Thailand in 2023 after spending 15 years in exile following a conviction on charges of corruption and abuse of power. Paetongtarn assumed the office ofthe PM in the August 2024. There are long-running border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia, which traces its roots to over a century ago when France, which occupied Cambodia until 1953, first mapped the land has cited that map to support its territorial claims, while Thailand rejects it as inaccurate. Disputed areas include sites like Mom Bei (Chong Bok) and three ancient temples, including the Preah Vihear Temple, which was awarded to Cambodia in a 1962 ruling by the International Court of Justice (ICJ). Thailand accepted that ruling, but disputes about land surrounding the temple have continued to spark violence. On May 28 soldiers from both the countries clashed after Lt Gen Boonsin confirmed that troops from Cambodia had moved up to 150 metres into Thai territory, built trenches and refused to retreat after several warnings. He said it was the first time since 2011 that Cambodian security forces had advanced into the area. The soldiers of the two counties exchanged fire in a disputed area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet. After this tensions between the two counties escalated with Cambodia banned the import of Thai fruits and vegetables and halting Thai dramas on TV and in cinemas. Thailand also imposed tighter border controls and entry restrictions on Cambodian citizens. On June 12, both Cambodia and Thailand agreed to de-escalate after a high-level meeting. Earlier this week Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet announced on Facebook that Cambodia had officially submitted a a letter to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) over its ongoing border dispute with Thailand.
CNA
18 hours ago
- Politics
- CNA
Commentary: Thailand and Cambodia share a border. They also share old wounds
SINGAPORE: In a rare breach of diplomatic norms, Cambodia's former leader Hun Sen on Wednesday (Jun 18) released a recording of a private phone call with Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra on social media, escalating political tensions surrounding a long-running border dispute. In the 17-minute audio, Ms Paetongtarn refers to Mr Hun Sen as 'uncle' and urges him to ignore the Thai general overseeing the army in the border area whom she described as being on 'the opposite side'. The remark has fuelled speculation about her relationship with the military, a politically sensitive issue given the army's role in ousting members of her family from power – her father Thaksin in 2006 and his sister Yingluck in 2014. Ms Paetongtarn has since apologised and defended her remarks as a 'technical attempt to calm the country', insisting there is no conflict with the Thai military. Further muddying the waters is the personal history between the two political families. Mr Thaksin and Mr Hun Sen - who is now president of Cambodia's Senate and the father of Cambodia's current Prime Minister Hun Manet - are long-time friends. That neither moved to defuse the situation has prompted speculation about domestic issues in both countries. PERSONAL TIES, POLITICAL STRAIN The two countries appear to have been taking their relations for granted, says Dr Pavin Chachavalpongpun of Kyoto University's Centre for Southeast Asian Studies. 'During good times, leaders would be willing to put aside history, but when a regime becomes vulnerable or encounters domestic challenges, sometimes it is easy and convenient and even legitimate to bring back the wounds of history to divert domestic attention,' Dr Pavin told me. Thailand and Cambodia share an 820km land border, parts of which are still not demarcated, and parts of which include ancient temples that both sides have contested for decades. On May 28, a Cambodian soldier was killed in an exchange of gunfire between both nations' troops at a disputed spot between Cambodia's Preah Vihear province and Thailand's Ubon Ratchathani province, reigniting tensions. The incident triggered the most serious crisis between Cambodia and Thailand in years, with both sides making bristling statements and beefing up troops while scrambling to convene a two-day meeting of their Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) in Phnom Penh – which ended with no conclusion on Jun 15. For Ms Paetongtarn, the crisis is an early test of leadership. Installed last year through a fragile coalition, she inherited both the Shinawatra name and its baggage. Her statement following the JBC - that Thailand 'will not tolerate maltreatment, accusations or threats from any party' - was widely seen as an effort to project firmness. But the leaked phone call and the perception that she had undermined her own army's authority has complicated that stance. She is now facing mounting calls to resign. The conservative Bhumjaithai Party, the second largest in the alliance, pulled out of the coalition on Jun 18, saying Ms Paetongtarn had "damaged the sovereignty and well-being of the country and Thai Army". GRIP OF SHARED HISTORY No one expects a dramatic escalation. 'Neither country can afford a war,' former Thai foreign minister Kasit Piromya told me. But no one expects easy or speedy resolution either, as the issues involved are complex and complicated by domestic nationalism. In fact, like the famed stone ruins of Angkor's Ta Prohm held in place by the tentacles of giant strangler figs, Thailand and Cambodia seem unable to decisively shake off the grip of the perceived wounds of their ironically shared history. Both countries have their own narratives to suit their mutual sense of victimhood and injustice - Cambodia through memories of the glory of its Angkor period lost to colonisation and encroachment by neighbours, and Thailand through a nostalgic view of its own imperial past, particularly the Ayutthaya era. Border disputes are particularly difficult to resolve to both parties' satisfaction because they often represent the legacy of historical conditions that no longer exist, a former Thai ambassador told me. Each side has its own popular narrative formed over decades or centuries, which can metastasize with each retelling until it becomes part of the national identity, spawning chauvinistic memes that later generations with no direct memory of the grievances may nevertheless accept on faith, he said. Any agreements on the border would mean both countries would need to give up some territory, and that would be difficult for their governments to sell to their public. The best one can hope for is that pragmatism wins over emotions. Politics should be removed from efforts to resolve border disputes, governments and opinion leaders should refrain from stoking the flames of nationalism, and quiet diplomacy allowed to take its course. All this is, of course, easier said than done. 'For all the cooperation frameworks in the region, Thailand and some of its neighbours are still in the trust-building phase,' said the former Thai ambassador who spoke with me on condition of anonymity. 'Our proximity means we have a long history together. It also means we need to set aside our feuds and grudges if we are to have a future together.' Nirmal Ghosh, a former foreign correspondent, is an author and independent writer based in Singapore. He writes a monthly column for CNA, published every third Friday.
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
How a leaked phone call led to the demand for Thai PM Paetongtarn Shinawatra's resignation
Thailand 's prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra is facing mounting pressure to resign after a leaked audio recording of her phone call blaming her own military for the dispute with Cambodia set off a huge political row. The leaked phone recording on Wednesday sparked public anger and pushed the coalition government to the brink of collapse as the second-largest party in her government quit the coalition. A part of the 17-minute private conversation between Ms Paetongtarn and Hun Sen, the former prime minister of Cambodia and the father of the current leader, was leaked on Sunday after the Cambodian leader shared it with 80 politicians. Mr Hun Sen then took to Facebook on Wednesday to share the whole 17-minute conversation "to avoid any misunderstanding or misrepresentation in official matters'. During the call, Ms Paetongtarn was heard calling Mr Hun Sen "uncle" as they discussed through translators whether they should lift border restrictions imposed after the deadly clash. She also requested him to ignore 'the opposite side', a reference she apparently made to the Thai military. She said they were trying to look 'cool' by making statements that were not in the interest of anyone. 'Tell him that actually if he wants something, he can say it and we will arrange it for him,' Ms Paetongtarn told the Thai interpreter to tell Mr Hun Sen. Her call came after a border dispute involving an armed confrontation 28 May in a relatively small "no man's land" both countries claim, in which one Cambodian soldier was killed. On Thursday, dozens of nationalist protesters gathered around the Government House, raising Thai national flags and signs calling for Ms Paetongtarn to resign. Ms Shinawatra on Thursday apologised for the phone conversation. She said the call was made from her personal phone and she did not know the conversation would be recorded and made public. She said the government was ready to support the country's military in all ways. Ms Paetongtarm defended her 'sympathetic remarks and softer tone' during the phone call as part of a negotiation strategy to ease border tensions. 'It was just a negotiation technique. I was conducting myself with the purpose of maintaining peace and our sovereignty,' Ms Paetongtarn said. 'It's clear now that his true desire is to win popularity in his country without caring about the impact on bilateral relations.' However, she added she would no longer engage in a private talk with Mr Hun Sen as she could not trust him. "It's now clear that all that he cares about is his popularity in the country, without considering impacts on relations with other countries," she said. Critics and lawmakers, both in her coalition and in the opposition party in Thailand, have particularly lambasted the prime minister for referring to him as 'uncle' as an effort to please Mr Hun Sen and said it made Thailand look weak. The discussion has emerged as the latest flashpoint in the mounting discontent with Ms Paetongtarn's administration and her powerful family. She is the youngest daughter of former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, a dominant figure in Thai politics for over 20 years. However, her subsequent apology and explanation have done little to calm public anger. Hours after the leak, the Bhumjaithai party, the biggest partner in Ms Paetongtarn's ruling coalition, decided to part ways with the coalition because of the leaked phone call. The party's statement said the recording "posed an impact on Thailand's sovereignty, territory, interests and the army". The party called for Mr Paetongtarn to take responsibility for causing Thailand to suffer a loss of national dignity, honour, and the esteem of the people and the military.' The departure of Bhumjaithai left the 10-party coalition with 255 seats, just above the majority of the 500-seat house. Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People's Party on Thursday called for Ms Paetongtarn to dissolve Parliament and hold a new election. He said the leaked phone call was "the last straw" that destroyed people's faith in her administration. The Shinawatras and Cambodia's Hun have a longstanding friendship. Her father, Mr Thaksin and Mr Hun Sen reportedly regard each other as "godbrothers." Some senators said they will file a motion to impeach her, and several other individuals also filed complaints over the matter with law enforcement agencies. Ms Paetongtarn's comments for the country's military leadership have also raised fears of a potential military coup in a country that has a long history of military rule. Her father was ousted in a coup in 2006, and Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, became prime minister in 2011 and was ousted by a military coup in 2014. The army said in a statement Thursday that it would like the people to "maintain confidence in the Royal Thai Army's steadfast commitment to the constitutional monarchy and its readiness to execute its constitutional mandate of protecting national sovereignty through established legal frameworks and institutional mechanisms."
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Thai prime minister's leaked phone call with Cambodia's Hun Sen sparks outrage and political turmoil
Thailan d's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra faced growing calls for her resignation in a deepening political crisis set off by a leaked recording of her negotiating with Cambodia 's former leader in the two nations' latest border dispute. Paetongtarn apologized to the public on Thursday, after a major coalition partner used the leaked phone call to pull out of the fragile government led by her Pheu Thai Party. Paetongtarn has already been criticized for a perceived soft stance toward Cambodia, especially by right-wing nationalists who are longtime foes of her father, former Prime Minister Thaksin Shinawatra. The latest border dispute involved an armed confrontation May 28 in a relatively small no-man'- land both countries claim in which one Cambodian soldier was killed. Outrage over the leak Cambodia's Senate President Hun Sen posted the full, 17-minute phone call on his Facebook page after a shorter version was leaked Wednesday. He said he recorded the conversation 'to avoid any misunderstanding or misrepresentation in official matters,' adding that he shared the recording with at least 80 people. In the recording, Paetongtarn was heard calling Hun Sen 'uncle' as they discussed through translators whether they should lift border restrictions imposed after the deadly clash. Backlash revolved around her calling a Thai army commander in charge of the border area where the clash happened as 'an opponent.' Critics said she was trying to please Hun Sen too much and made Thailand look weak. Paetongtarn said her comments were a negotiation tactic and that her goal was to bring peace between the countries. However, she said she would no longer engage in a private talk with Hun Sen as she could not trust him. 'It's now clear that all that he cares about is his popularity in the country, without considering impacts on relations with other countries,' she said. Thailand's Foreign Affairs Ministry said it submitted a protest letter over the leaked recording with the Cambodian ambassador, saying that Cambodia's actions were unacceptable and 'a breach of diplomatic etiquette, a serious violation of trust, and undermines conduct between two neighboring countries.' Paetongtarn has described the two families as having close, longtime relationships. Her father Thaksin and Hun Sen reportedly regard each other as 'godbrothers.' In 2009, Hun Sen appointed Thaksin as a Cambodian government adviser, but Thaksin soon resigned the position. Mounting pressure Hours after the leak, the Bhumjaithai party, the biggest partner in Paetongtarn's ruling coalition, said it would quit because of the leaked phone call. The party's statement said the recording 'posed an impact on Thailand's sovereignty, territory, interests and the army.' The party called for Paetongtarn to take responsibility for the damage, although they did not say how. There has already been a rift between Bhumjaithai and Pheu Thai over reports that the former would be shuffled out of the powerful Interior Ministry. Several Bhumjaithai leaders are also under investigation over the alleged rigging of the Senate election in which many figures who are reportedly close to the party claimed a majority of seats. The departure of Bhumjaithai left the 10-party coalition with 255 seats, just above the majority of the 500-seat house. Opposition leader Natthaphong Ruengpanyawut of the People's Party on Thursday called for Paetongtarn to dissolve Parliament and hold a new election. He said the leaked phone call was 'the last straw' that destroyed people's faith in her administration. Dozens of nationalists protesters gathered near the Government House on Thursday, holding Thai national flags and signs calling for Paetongtarn to resign. Some senators said they will file a motion to impeach her, and several other individuals also filed complaints over the matter to law enforcement agencies. People have also expressed concern that Paetongtarn's comment towards the local army commander could potentially lead to a military coup. Her father, Thaksin, was ousted in a coup in 2006, and Thaksin's sister, Yingluck Shinawatra, became prime minister in 2011 and was also toppled by the military in 2014. The military said in a statement Thursday that it would like the people to 'maintain confidence in the Royal Thai Army's steadfast commitment to constitutional monarchy and its readiness to execute its constitutional mandate of protecting national sovereignty through established legal frameworks and institutional mechanisms."
