Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet congratulated Anutin Charnvirakul on his appointment as Thailand’s new prime minister, expressing hopes of working with him closely to restore normal bilateral relations.
In a letter sent to Anutin, Hun Manet says he looks forward to rebuilding mutual trust and transforming the shared border between the two countries into “one of peace, cooperation, development and shared prosperity.”
He stresses that Cambodia and Thailand, as close neighbours and ASEAN partners, share the aspirations of peace, harmonious coexistence and prosperity. With this in mind, he expresses confidence that cordial ties and good cooperation would enable both peoples to thrive in harmony.
Hun Manet’s call for normalisation comes after the two countries clashed in late July, when a border dispute escalated into bloody fighting between their troops.
The clashes occurred during the tenure of Anutin’s predecessor, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, who has since been removed from office by the Constitutional Court, following the leak of a recorded conversation with Hun Manet’s father, former Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen.
During the five-day conflict, Cambodian artillery shells struck non-military targets in Thailand’s north-eastern border provinces, damaging hospitals, schools and houses. Fifteen Thai soldiers and 16 civilians were killed, while numbers of casualties on the Cambodian side remain unclear.
The fighting was halted when Malaysia, as ASEAN chair, brokered an unconditional ceasefire.
Tensions have persisted, however, with Bangkok accusing Phnom Penh of planting new landmines, in violation of the global ban.
Both nations have recalled their respective ambassadors.
