Thailand Rejects Foreign Mediation Amid Border Clashes With Cambodia
Thailand’s foreign ministry said on Friday that it has rejected third-party mediation attempts to end the ongoing conflict with Cambodia, insisting that Phnom Penh stop its attacks and that bilateral talks be the only way to resolve the issue.
For the second day in a row, artillery exchanges have broken out as simmering border tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have erupted into open hostilities at several frontline locations.
In the fiercest conflict between the neighbours in Southeast Asia in more than ten years, at least 16 individuals have already lost their lives, the most of them Thai civilians.
Bangkok is looking for a bilateral solution to the crisis, Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters, despite offers from the US, China, and Malaysia, the current chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, to promote discussion.
In an interview, Nikorndej stated, “I don’t think we need any mediation from a third country yet.”
Along a border where sovereignty has been disputed for over a century, Cambodia and Thailand accuse one another of initiating the conflict early Thursday at a disputed spot. The conflict swiftly escalated from small weapons fire to heavy bombardment.
The Cambodian side must first put an end to violence along the border, Nikorndej stated. “We stand by our position that bilateral mechanism is the best way out, this is a confrontation between the two countries,” he said. “Our doors are still open.”
A request for reaction from the Cambodian government was not immediately answered.
Its Prime Minister Hun Manet denounced what he described as Thailand’s “unprovoked and premeditated military aggression” and petitioned the UN Security Council to hold a hearing on the matter on Thursday.
The group has announced that it will meet behind closed doors on Friday to talk about the matter.
A day after landmine blasts injured Thai soldiers on Wednesday, Thailand recalled its ambassador to Phnom Penh and ousted Cambodia’s envoy, the battle began.
According to Thai authorities, Cambodia recently laid the mines; Phnom Penh denies this accusation as unfounded.
The 10-nation ASEAN, of which Thailand and Cambodia are members, is chaired by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who said Thursday that he had spoken with the leaders of both nations and urged them to reach a peaceful conclusion.
“If the ASEAN family wants to facilitate a return to constructive bilateral negotiations, that’s welcome as well,” Nikorndej added.
Source: Al Jazeera & other media outlets
