(Phnom Penh, 17th) Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen threatened on Monday (June 16) that if the Thai military does not restore normal traffic at the Cambodia-Thailand border within 24 hours, Cambodia will completely ban Thai agricultural products from entering starting Tuesday (17th).
Hun Sen said in a speech broadcasted live on Cambodian National Television on the same day that he and Prime Minister Hun Manet respectively spoke with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn, clearly giving Thailand a 24-hour deadline to immediately restore normal border crossings, otherwise Cambodia would take countermeasures.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn responded on Monday, saying she would not tolerate any threats or false information. She also clarified that the Thai-Cambodian border was never officially closed, but with recent conflicts within Thailand and discussions about redeploying troops, the opening hours at the border checkpoints were adjusted.
Paetongtarn emphasized that bilateral dialogue is the appropriate channel to resolve tensions and reach mutual understanding. She also expressed concern about the selective posting of some discussions on social media. She also expressed concern that closing all checkpoints could lead to trade disruptions, especially for fruit exports.
The Joint Border Committee for the Delimitation of the Thai-Cambodian Land Boundary held a meeting over the past weekend regarding the Thai-Cambodian border issue, but no conclusions were reached after two consecutive days of meetings. Cambodia formally wrote to the International Court of Justice on Sunday (15th) seeking resolution of the border dispute with Thailand.
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikungde accused Cambodia on Monday of having no intention to resolve the current border dispute through bilateral mechanisms.
Nikungde said the bilateral meeting over the weekend reflected Thailand's serious intention to protect the interests of both countries through bilateral mechanisms, but Cambodia did not respond to this intention. Cambodia refused to discuss the four disputed areas along the border, choosing instead to submit these areas to the International Court of Justice for a ruling.
Nikungde pointed out that Thailand has never recognized the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice established in 1960.
Nikungde also said that Hun Sen's threat to ban the entry of Thai agricultural products if Thailand does not restore normal border traffic within 24 hours is an action that "good neighbors would not take."
Hun Sen said in a speech broadcasted live on Cambodian National Television on the same day that he and Prime Minister Hun Manet respectively spoke with Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn, clearly giving Thailand a 24-hour deadline to immediately restore normal border crossings, otherwise Cambodia would take countermeasures.
Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn responded on Monday, saying she would not tolerate any threats or false information. She also clarified that the Thai-Cambodian border was never officially closed, but with recent conflicts within Thailand and discussions about redeploying troops, the opening hours at the border checkpoints were adjusted.
Paetongtarn emphasized that bilateral dialogue is the appropriate channel to resolve tensions and reach mutual understanding. She also expressed concern about the selective posting of some discussions on social media. She also expressed concern that closing all checkpoints could lead to trade disruptions, especially for fruit exports.
The Joint Border Committee for the Delimitation of the Thai-Cambodian Land Boundary held a meeting over the past weekend regarding the Thai-Cambodian border issue, but no conclusions were reached after two consecutive days of meetings. Cambodia formally wrote to the International Court of Justice on Sunday (15th) seeking resolution of the border dispute with Thailand.
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikungde accused Cambodia on Monday of having no intention to resolve the current border dispute through bilateral mechanisms.
Nikungde said the bilateral meeting over the weekend reflected Thailand's serious intention to protect the interests of both countries through bilateral mechanisms, but Cambodia did not respond to this intention. Cambodia refused to discuss the four disputed areas along the border, choosing instead to submit these areas to the International Court of Justice for a ruling.
Nikungde pointed out that Thailand has never recognized the jurisdiction of the International Court of Justice established in 1960.
Nikungde also said that Hun Sen's threat to ban the entry of Thai agricultural products if Thailand does not restore normal border traffic within 24 hours is an action that "good neighbors would not take."