Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul told the US president that Thailand has strictly adhered to the Kuala Lumpur Joint Peace Declaration to restore peace along the border, but it was Cambodia that has violated the agreement.
Anutin made the remarks last night in a press briefing after holding a telephone discussion with US President Donald Trump at Government House regarding the deadly border clashes with Cambodia.
Presenting at the talk were also Thailand’s foreign and commerce ministers, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio joining.
Anutin described the atmosphere as constructive, adding that President Trump expressed concern about the border clashes, urging a return to the terms of the peace declaration signed in Malaysia in late October.
Anutin said he assured Trump that Thailand has always complied with the declaration that was signed in the presence of Trump and Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as ASEAN chair.
“Thailand has never stepped outside the agreed conditions,” he said.
“It is Cambodia that has violated them. If they violate the agreement without causing casualties, we can still talk. But if the violation results in loss of Thai lives, limbs or property, Thailand must respond to defend its sovereignty and territory.”
He added that he had to explain this clearly to Trump so the United States would not mistakenly assume Thailand was the aggressor.
Thailand responded to make clear to Cambodia, “don’t do this to us,” Anutin said. “We are not a country you can simply act against.”
He also stressed the importance of hearing Thailand’s side of the story:
“Cambodia may present only their own information. That’s not enough. The US must also hear from Thailand, because we were attacked first.”
Referring to the House dissolution, Anutin said domestic political matters, including a possible election, had no bearing on Thailand’s response to the border situation.
“Right now, I must prevent injuries and deaths among our soldiers and civilians,” he said, adding “Politics and elections mean nothing to me compared to the life of even one Thai person along the border.”
According to Anutin, Trump acknowledged Thailand’s explanation and assured him that the US Secretary of State could be contacted at any time.
Trump also told Anutin that he himself could be reached whenever needed, although Anutin said Thailand was capable of managing the situation on its own.
The US president also expressed hope for a ceasefire. Anutin said he told Trump to tell Thailand’s neighbour that it must not be just talk about a ceasefire.
“They (Cambodia) must tell and show the world they will cease fire, withdraw their forces, and remove all explosives they placed.
Thailand has never wanted anything from them. But they must stop everything first.”
The discussion also touched on pending US tariff negotiations. Anutin said Trump pledged to grant Thailand better tariff treatment than other countries.
Asked if Trump said when tariff reductions would take effect, Anutin said the matter would be handled by Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun in upcoming negotiations.
“It was the US president who raised the issue again,” he said. “He apologised for forgetting about it earlier and promised to take care of it. There was no pressure and no attempt to link it to the Thai–Cambodian border issue.”
When pressed on how much tariffs would be reduced, Anutin replied: “Let Minister Suphajee negotiate for the best deal.”
