Thailand-Cambodia border tensions escalate

An ASEAN Observer Team on Thursday observed the situation on the ground near the latest border skirmish between Thailand and Cambodia, which left one civilian killed and three others injured a day earlier.

The team members inspected the condition of the displaced civilians at the border area with the facilitation of the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence, according to a notice on the ministry's social media platform.

The team also paid homage to the perished Cambodian civilian, according to the Cambodian state news agency Agence Kampuchea Presse or AKP.

Thailand and Cambodia have pointed fingers at each other, while both expressed a willingness to continue implementing previous agreements on border control.

China has expressed hopes for Thailand and Cambodia to prevent the border situation from further escalating.

At the Chinese Foreign Ministry's regular news conference in Beijing on Thursday, the ministry's spokesman Lin Jian said that China has noted some issues that have emerged in the implementation of the joint statement between Thailand and Cambodia.

"As a friend and close neighbor of both countries, China sincerely hopes that Thailand and Cambodia will exercise restraint, move toward each other, adhere to friendly consultations, give full play to the role of existing bilateral mechanisms and find a solution acceptable to both sides as soon as possible to prevent the situation from escalating," he said.

China will continue to play a constructive role in de-escalating the situation in its own way, Lin added.

The latest Thai-Cambodian skirmish in the border area of Thailand's Ban Nong Ya Kaew, Sa Kaeo Province, late on Wednesday afternoon killed one and injured three civilians, two in serious condition, in Cambodia's Prey Chan Village, Banteay Meanchey Province. There was no report of injuries from the Thai side.

Thai media reported that the gunfire exchange occurred at around 4 pm and lasted about 10 minutes, while Cambodian media noted that it lasted about half an hour.

The Cambodian defense ministry's spokesperson said in a statement on Thursday that the gunfire followed provocative actions over many days by the Thai military, with the intention of instigating a clash.

However, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura said on Wednesday evening that Thai forces took cover and, in accordance with the Rules of Engagement, fired warning shots in the direction from which Cambodian fire originated.

While stressing that the actions of the Thai side were taken to safeguard sovereignty and in self-defense, in accordance with international law, he urged a transparent investigation into the incidents.

The ministry reaffirmed Thailand's commitment to implementing the Joint Declaration — a crucial milestone in reducing tensions and paving the way toward peace, which both sides have committed to achieve, according to a statement released on Thursday afternoon.

Maly Socheata, Cambodian foreign ministry spokeswoman, on Thursday called for an independent investigation into the incident and appealed for the participation of qualified international parties to uncover the truth and identify those responsible, the AKP reported.

She also reaffirmed that Cambodia remains committed to resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, existing treaties, conventions, and agreements — seeking solutions that are just, fair, lasting, and consistent with international legal principles.

yangwanli@chinadaily.com.cn