The Thai military stated on 30/7 that Cambodian soldiers "violated the ceasefire agreement, attacking Thai soldiers at Phu Makhuea and Chong An Ma from midnight to dawn," forcing them to respond. "Despite the ceasefire agreement, the Cambodian side has not stopped," said Thai military deputy spokesperson Richa Suksuwanon.
The Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the same day considered "this a clear violation of the ceasefire agreement by Cambodia, demonstrating their lack of goodwill." According to the ministry, Cambodian soldiers used small arms and grenades to attack Thai military positions in the border area.
The Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs subsequently issued a statement denying the accusations, affirming the country's commitment to fully implementing the ceasefire reached with Thailand during talks in Malaysia on 28/7.
"There is no such thing as Cambodian forces carrying out any action that could be considered a violation of the ceasefire," the statement said, adding that the Thai accusations were "fabricated and misleading." "We affirm that Cambodia is not and will not intend to break the ceasefire. Our main goal is to ensure long-term peace, for the benefit of both countries and the stability of the entire region."
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Military vehicles move on a road in Buriram province, Thailand on 25/7. Photo: Reuters |
Military vehicles move on a road in Buriram province, Thailand on 25/7. Photo: Reuters
This is the second time the Thai military has accused Cambodia of violating the ceasefire. On the morning of 29/7, the military said clashes still occurred in some areas due to attacks by Cambodian soldiers, forcing them "to respond appropriately and exercise the right of self-defense."
The acting Prime Minister of Thailand later clarified that these were only "minor clashes" due to some Cambodian soldiers not strictly obeying orders, and the ceasefire was essentially maintained.
Fighting between Cambodia and Thailand broke out near the Ta Moan Thom temple on the morning of 24/7 and then spread to other areas along the border. This was the most serious clash between the two neighbors in over 10 years, resulting in a total of 38 deaths, including 25 in Thailand and 13 in Cambodia.
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Location of Ta Muan Thom temple and other disputed temples between Cambodia and Thailand. Graphic: CNA |
Location of Ta Muan Thom temple and other disputed temples between Cambodia and Thailand. Graphic: CNA
Cambodia and Thailand reached a ceasefire agreement on 28/7 after talks in Malaysia coordinated by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. The leaders of the Thai and Cambodian military regions agreed not to deploy or move additional forces along the border to implement the ceasefire.
Mohd Nizam Bin Haji Jaffar, Commander-in-Chief of the Malaysian Armed Forces, announced on 29/7 the establishment of two groups to monitor and enforce the Cambodia-Thailand ceasefire agreement. The two groups will be deployed separately in Cambodia and Thailand, led by the Malaysian military attache in each country, and will begin work on 30/7.
Nguyen Tien (AFP, Khaosod, Khmer Times)
