Thailand and Cambodia should scale back their military presence along their shared border and work together to de-escalate tensions, Thailand’s new foreign minister told reporters.
Formally sworn into office along with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul a day earlier, Sihasak Phuangketkeow (pic) stressed the need to uphold the ceasefire agreed by Thailand and Cambodia at the end of a deadly five-day conflict in July.
He said on his first day as foreign minister that his priority is to secure peace between the two South-East Asian neighbours.
The two countries need to implement the joint actions agreed during a dialogue earlier this month, including the reduction of forces, the clearance of landmines and a crackdown on illegal activities, he added.
“Peace needs reduction of forces like the withdrawing of heavy weaponry from border areas to reduce the risk of violence,” Sihasak said.
“We have agreed to these things in principle, but what we need to see now is progress.”
Thailand and Cambodia have for more than a century contested sovereignty at various points along their 817km land border, which was mapped by France in 1907 when Cambodia was its colony.
Tensions exploded into armed conflict in July. At least 48 people were killed and hundreds and thousands temporarily displaced in the heaviest fighting between the two countries in over a decade.
The fighting ended after both countries agreed to a ceasefire brokered in Malaysia on July 28. The border has remained mostly calm since, though tensions remain. — Reuters
