(Bangkok, 23rd) — The Thai military stated that, despite previous agreements between Thailand and Cambodia, Cambodia has yet to show any intention of withdrawing troops or removing weapons from the border areas.
According to The Nation Thailand, Second Army Region Commander Boonsin Padklang said on Monday (September 22) that Cambodia has so far taken no action to indicate any willingness to withdraw troops from the Thai border as agreed at the recent Special Boundary Committee meeting.
At the meeting held on September 10, both sides agreed to withdraw heavy and other destructive weapons to regular bases, under the supervision of a temporary ASEAN observer team.
Boonsin said that not only has Cambodia not withdrawn its troops, but it has also increased troop numbers along the border, used drones to enter Thai territory, and sent soldiers across the border to lay anti-personnel mines.
A regional boundary committee meeting between the Second Army Region and Cambodia is scheduled for next month, but Boonsin doubts Cambodia will fulfill the troop withdrawal agreement, stating: "Cambodia is still provoking us, and we will not hold any more talks."
Thailand and Cambodia reached a ceasefire agreement on July 29 under the mediation of Malaysia, the ASEAN chair, but since then both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the agreement and tensions have continued to rise.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin, when responding to media inquiries on Sunday (21st), said that to safeguard Thailand's sovereignty and territory, the military will have the authority to decide whether to reopen border crossings, and the government will support and respect the military's judgment.
He emphasized that the government's responsibility is diplomacy and negotiation, but Thailand will not accept any conditions set by Cambodia, and negotiations can only progress on the premise that Cambodia first accepts Thailand's terms.
Regarding rumors that new clashes may break out along the Thai-Cambodian border from Wednesday to Thursday (24th to 25th), Anutin reiterated that military action and border defense are entirely the responsibility of the military, and that the government will provide full support.
According to The Nation Thailand, Second Army Region Commander Boonsin Padklang said on Monday (September 22) that Cambodia has so far taken no action to indicate any willingness to withdraw troops from the Thai border as agreed at the recent Special Boundary Committee meeting.
At the meeting held on September 10, both sides agreed to withdraw heavy and other destructive weapons to regular bases, under the supervision of a temporary ASEAN observer team.
Boonsin said that not only has Cambodia not withdrawn its troops, but it has also increased troop numbers along the border, used drones to enter Thai territory, and sent soldiers across the border to lay anti-personnel mines.
A regional boundary committee meeting between the Second Army Region and Cambodia is scheduled for next month, but Boonsin doubts Cambodia will fulfill the troop withdrawal agreement, stating: "Cambodia is still provoking us, and we will not hold any more talks."
Thailand and Cambodia reached a ceasefire agreement on July 29 under the mediation of Malaysia, the ASEAN chair, but since then both sides have repeatedly accused each other of violating the agreement and tensions have continued to rise.
Thai Prime Minister Anutin, when responding to media inquiries on Sunday (21st), said that to safeguard Thailand's sovereignty and territory, the military will have the authority to decide whether to reopen border crossings, and the government will support and respect the military's judgment.
He emphasized that the government's responsibility is diplomacy and negotiation, but Thailand will not accept any conditions set by Cambodia, and negotiations can only progress on the premise that Cambodia first accepts Thailand's terms.
Regarding rumors that new clashes may break out along the Thai-Cambodian border from Wednesday to Thursday (24th to 25th), Anutin reiterated that military action and border defense are entirely the responsibility of the military, and that the government will provide full support.