Thailand to notify observers of Cambodia’s ceasefire violation

Only 13 hours from the ceasefire that took effect at midnight last night, the Thai government has expressed its protest against Cambodia for its violation of the agreement

Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who represented the Thai government at the talks held in Malaysia late afternoon yesterday, held a press conference this afternoon, informing the public about the emerging issue. He said with ustmost sincerity, the Thai Government was making all efforts to end clashes along the Thai–Cambodian border as soon as possible, and yesterday’s dialogue and negotiation in Malaysia’ Putrajaya led to a ceasefire agreement between both sides, the action that reflected a shared hope of the international community to restore peace to the peoples of both countries.

The Thai government sincerely upholds that agreement and strictly adheres to the jointly announced ceasefire agreement, he added. However,  the Cambodian military forces had violated the agreement by launching continuous and indiscriminate attacks on Thai territory across various areas along the border, even after the agreed ceasefire time had passed, he acting PM said. (Read: “Immediate and unconditional” ceasefire takes effect from midnight: Anwar)

The Thai military forces had therefore been compelled to respond decisively and in an appropriate proportion to protect the country’s sovereignty, territorial integrity and the lives of innocent civilians, the acting PM noted.

The government has thus assigned the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to explain the facts to the international community in protest of Cambodia’s violation, especially the United States, China, and Malaysia, who bore witness to yesterday’s dialogue and negotiation, to inform them of Cambodia’s “lack of sincerity”.

The acting PM said the government has also tasked all military units with maintaining their forces to safeguard the sovereignty, territorial integrity, and ensure the safety of the people.

It’s ready to further bring discussions to a higher and appropriate level. At the same time, the government remains ready to proceed with dialogue at the regional command level between both sides as previously agreed to end the violence and prevent further losses to both civilians and military personnel, he further noted.

“Thailand will not allow any infringement on our sovereignty and territorial integrity under any circumstances,” said Mr. Phumtham in a serious tone of voice. “We are confident that our undertakings, which are based on international practice, humanitarian principles and human rights, will be clearly recognised by the international community. And they will form a strong foundation for the deliberations of all facts once the ceasefire is genuinely in place.”

Mr. Phumtham urges the public to follow updates only through official channels. The government has also assigned the Ministry of Interior and relevant agencies to urgently provide assistance and care for those affected, particularly with regard to repatriation. 

Citizens are asked to await results from field assessments conducted by the Ad Hoc Centre for Thailand–Cambodia Border Situation. All agencies in the area have been tasked to fully facilitate and support all evacuees.

“Lastly, the government calls upon all citizens to show utmost restraint and stay united, and not to fall victim to disinformation or political manipulation aimed at causing domestic division by the opposing side. Team Thailand will continue to carry out our duties with full dedication for the nation and the people,” vowed Mr. Phumtham.

U.S. applaud

Just shortly after the meeting in Malaysia, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio issued a statement, saying the U.S. “applauds the ceasefire declaration between Cambodia and Thailand”. He said he and President Trump are committed to an immediate cessation of violence and expect the governments of Cambodia and Thailand to fully honour their commitments to end this conflict. 

“We are grateful to Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for his leadership and for hosting the ceasefire talks. We urge all parties to follow through on their commitments,” said Mr. Marco, adding the U.S. will remain committed to and “engaged” in this U.S.-Malaysia-organised process to end this conflict. 

U.S. President Donald Trump himself also posted on his Truth Social positively shortly afterwards, informing the public about the success of the talks.

“Just spoke to the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand and the Prime Minister of Cambodia. I am pleased to announce that, after the involvement of President Donald J. Trump, both Countries have reached a CEASEFIRE and PEACE. Congratulations to all!”

“By ending this War, we have saved thousands of lives,” declared the President, adding he has instructed his trade negotiation team to restart negotiations on trade with both countries. 

“I have now ended many Wars in just six months — I am proud to be the President of PEACE!” acclaimed President Trump after the meeting last night.

PM Hun Manet

Cambodia’s PM Hun Manet also posted later in the night and this morning, informing the public about the agreement and his plans for the future. He said in his post last night, during which the exchanges of fire intensified before reaching the ceasefire period, that he had received a phone call from President Trump directly to congratulate the successful end of the immediate ceasefire negotiations.

While expressing his gratitude to the president, he revealed further that the President understood well that for this agreement to be fully implemented and sustainable, there is a need for a mechanism to closely monitor the performance of stakeholders.

And in that sense, the President has agreed to “engage” the U.S. in monitoring the implementation of the ceasefire agreement and continue to cooperate with mechanisms prepared by Malaysia for the successful monitoring, PM Hun Manet said. This, however, is not among the conditions agreed in the ceasefire agreement.

“President Trump considers this task an important one that he wants to see a permanent peace between the two countries,” said PM Hun Manet.

Apparently more relaxed, he posted another message in the early morning with a relaxed tone of voice, inviting the public to have a relaxing chat with him, noting that the battlefront “had been relieved” after the ceasefire since midnight last night.

Teasing himself about his grey hair during the five-day fighting, the Cambodian PM said his emotions at the point was on some big things, including monitoring the battle situation ahead and resolving support for the forces, preparing policies for his wounded warriors appropriately, addressing the welfare of thousands of the citizens, and resolving the issue of workers returning from Thailand.

The key problem for him over the last few days, he said, was to find solutions to end the fighting as soon as possible, “to save the lives” of both the armed forces and civilians living in the fighting zone, from further deaths and injuries. 

The sooner the fighting stops, the sooner impacted citizens can return to their homes and return to normal livelihoods, PM Hun Manet noted.

“Let’s solve all those problems, and the army and the people will be happy, the country will be at peace, it’s okay to dye my hair,” teased PM Hun Manet in his morning post.

The exchanges of fire on the ground just went in contrary to his moods, erupting sporadically shortly after the ceasefire throughout the night until the regional commanders managed to meet in their delayed scheduled in the late morning today, around 11 am.

Ceasefire violation

As reported by the Royal Thai Army, it had received a report from the 2nd Army Area detailing the situation that after the Thai side complied with the ceasefire agreement after midnight and closely monitored and tracked the frontline situation, military units in the area reported Cambodian military operations in multiple incidents throughout the night until this morning.

The disturbances and the use of supporting weapons firing into Thai territory were found in several areas, including Chong Bok, Chong Anma, Sam Tae, Prasat Ta Kwai Temple, and Phu Ma Kheua. The Thai side responded to the situation by deploying frontline forces and using supporting weapons to suppress the Cambodian military operations.

 The Army also issued a statement condemning Cambodia’s post-ceasefire military actions, said Army spokesperson Major General Winthai Suvaree.

In the late morning, the regional commanders along the disputed border in seven provinces then managed to convene their meetings with Cambodian counterparts to reach initial agreements following the ceasefire. 

They similarly agreed to an immediate ceasefire, no use of force against Thai civilians, no additional troop reinforcements, no troop movements, Thailand’s facilitation of the Cambodian military’s corpses and the injured, and establishment of a joint coordination team, and the requests to restrain from confrontation and await the outcomes of the General Border Committee, which will convene on August 4. 

So far, the Thai troops have managed to take control of 11 conflict areas, according to the Ad Hoc Centre. A total of 53 civilians have been affected, 15 of whom are reported as dead, while 12 more are seriously injured. Up to 188,729 people have been evacuated. 20 hospitals have been affected by the fighting, while 175 more Tambon Community Health Centres have been affected, according to the Centre.

The report of the deaths and injuries of the soldiers has not yet been updated since the ceasefire, as there have been reports that troops from both sides were reinforced in the areas in an attempt to take control of them.

Also read: UN top official condemns loss of lives and injuries to civilians in Thai-Cambodian border clashes/ Border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia “not a threat to international peace and security”: UNSC / Troop clashes break out as Cambodia opens fire and launches rockets towards Thai forces and civilians