【By Observer News, Qi Qian】According to Xinhua News Agency, the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand at their border continues. As of the afternoon of July 25, tens of thousands of Cambodian civilians have been evacuated, and over 130,000 Thai civilians have been displaced. The two countries continue to accuse each other of violating international law.

At the same time, the statements from both sides of Cambodia and Thailand have become increasingly intense. On the evening of the 25th, Samdech Thiraraj Sihanouk, Chairman of the Senate of Cambodia and former Prime Minister Hun Sen, posted on social media criticizing former Thai Prime Minister Thaksin for making "belligerent" remarks about him. Thaksin had previously stated on the 24th that the Thai army should "teach Hun Sen a lesson."

"Earlier, Thaksin issued a provocative statement filled with belligerent implications, further highlighting Thailand's military aggression against Cambodia," Hun Sen said in a post on social media "Facebook," "I am not surprised by Thaksin's attitude... Now, he uses the pretext of retaliating against Hun Sen to resort to war, and the ultimate result will be the people suffering."

Hun Sen also released several photos of himself with Thaksin and his family on "Facebook."

Hun Sen posted multiple old photos with Thaksin and his family on Facebook

Hun Sen's statement was a response to Thaksin's previous statement. On the evening of the 24th, Thaksin posted on the social media platform X, saying: "Many countries are paying attention to the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia and have actively offered assistance for mediation. Therefore, I would like to express my gratitude to everyone."

But he immediately added: "However, please give us some time, we need to let the Thai military fulfill its duties and teach Hun Sen a lesson."

Thaksin's Twitter screenshot

It is reported that for more than a century, Thailand and Cambodia have been disputing sovereignty at multiple unmarked locations along their 817-kilometer land border, leading to multiple small-scale conflicts over the years.

In May this year, there was a brief clash between the armies of the two countries in a disputed border area, with the fire lasting about 10 minutes, resulting in the death of one Cambodian soldier. Soon after the incident, the telephone conversation between the then Thai Prime Minister Puea Tongtan and the chairman of the Cambodian People's Party, former Prime Minister Hun Sen, regarding the border dispute was leaked, causing a big stir and leading to Puea Tongtan being suspended by the Thai Constitutional Court.

Early this month, Thai frontline soldiers were injured multiple times due to landmines, and the Thai side accused the Cambodian side of secretly planting landmines.

On the early morning of the 24th, a new round of conflict broke out near the Tamuanong Temple, a disputed area on the eastern border of Cambodia and Thailand. This temple is about 360 kilometers from Bangkok, the capital of Thailand. On the 25th, the new round of border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand entered its second day. This is the most serious battle between the two countries in over ten years, which has intensified and spread continuously, covering multiple areas over 210 kilometers apart, resulting in more than 20 deaths.

That day, Thai Acting Prime Minister Phutthong warned that the border armed conflict "may develop into a war," but "has confidence" that it will not turn into a full-scale war. The Thai military also accused Hun Sen of being a "war criminal," citing evidence that Hun Sen was involved in attacks on civilians,涉嫌 "war crimes," seriously violating international humanitarian law. The Cambodian Ministry of Defense strongly condemned the Thai military for using cluster bombs banned internationally within Cambodia.

The report states that the United Nations Security Council will hold a closed-door meeting on the Cambodia-Thailand border conflict on the evening of the 25th in Eastern Time in the United States.

According to the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on the 25th, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee and Foreign Minister of China, met with Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, in Beijing.

Wang Yi said that the recent conflict between Cambodia and Thailand and the casualties caused are heartbreaking and worrying. The root of this issue is the legacy of Western colonizers in the past, and now it needs to be calmly faced and properly handled. As a common friendly neighbor of Cambodia and Thailand, China is willing to uphold an impartial and fair position and continue to play a constructive role in promoting de-escalation and easing the situation.

This article is an exclusive work of Observer News. Unauthorized reproduction is prohibited.

Original: https://www.toutiao.com/article/7531013278705762867/

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