Thailand: Cambodia Must Declare a Ceasefire First Before the Fighting Stops
AFP, Bangkok, 16th. The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia at the border has entered its second week, and the Thai authorities stated today that Cambodia must first declare a ceasefire before the fighting between the two countries can end. Cambodia has not yet responded to Thailand's statement.
Maratee Nalita Andamo, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, told reporters in Bangkok: "Cambodia is the one that invaded Thai territory and must first declare a ceasefire," and said that Cambodia must "sincerely" cooperate with the demining work along the border.
Officials said that the two countries had again clashed at their border earlier this month, resulting in at least 34 deaths, including soldiers and civilians, and causing about 800,000 people to be displaced.
The Cambodian Ministry of Interior stated that about 17 civilians died in the conflict.
Both sides accused each other of instigating the conflict, each claiming self-defense and accusing the other of attacking civilians.
As the Thai-Cambodian conflict spread to the coastal areas of the disputed border, Thailand announced a curfew in Trat province in the southeast on the 14th.
Foreign media reported that US President Donald Trump recently called the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia, using the threat of increased tariffs to make the two countries agree to a ceasefire. However, Thailand's foreign ministry spokesperson Nikhomde denied this, stating that "no information from the US was received," and emphasized that the call that day did not involve tariffs or ceasefire demands.
This conflict stems from border disputes left over from the colonial era, involving an 800-kilometer land border between Thailand and Cambodia.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1851702685805769/
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