SECURITY COUNCIL MEETING
Thailand’s UN ambassador told a Security Council meeting on Friday that soldiers had been injured by newly planted land mines in Thai territory on two occasions since mid-July – claims Cambodia has strongly denied – and said Cambodia had then launched attacks on Thursday morning.
On Saturday, Cambodia accused Thailand of “a deliberate, unprovoked, and unlawful military attack” and said “military preparations reveal Thailand’s intent to expand its aggression and further violate Cambodia’s sovereignty”.
It called for the international community to condemn Thailand’s “aggression” and prevent an expansion of its military activities, while Bangkok says it wants to resolve the dispute bilaterally.
Southeast Asia expert Gregory Poling of Washington’s Center for Strategic and International Studies said it would be positive if Trump could help speed up ceasefire talks, but cautioned:
“Neither Cambodia nor Thailand – or their publics – will appreciate the threat to weaponise trade to make it happen. And if they do reach a ceasefire and either or both still don’t get a trade deal before Aug 1, they are likely to view it as a US betrayal.”
Thailand and Cambodia have bickered for decades over undemarcated points along their 817km land border, with ownership of the ancient Hindu temples Ta Moan Thom and the 11th century Preah Vihear central to the disputes.
Preah Vihear was awarded to Cambodia by the International Court of Justice in 1962, but tension escalated in 2008 after Cambodia attempted to list it as a UNESCO World Heritage site, and skirmishes over several years brought at least a dozen deaths.
Cambodia said in June it had asked the court to resolve its disputes with Thailand, which says it has never recognised the court’s jurisdiction and prefers a bilateral approach.
