Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has reiterated that the international community keeps telling Thailand to respect a ceasefire, saying they should instead urge those who have harmed Thailand to do so.
He questioned who has respected Thailand, saying the country no longer places its trust in external pressure.
“The international community keeps telling Thailand to stop, to respect this and that. But who respects Thailand? Tell those who harm Thailand, not Thailand itself,” he said.
Speaking during a visit to a shelter for evacuees displaced by border clashes in Surin province yesterday, Anutin said Thailand now believes in itself and will do what it deems appropriate.
He said no third country has been invited to mediate, as the issue is a direct bilateral matter.
Referring to the ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting to be held today in Kuala Lumpur, Anutin said Thailand has tasked the Foreign Ministry with clearly presenting the country’s policy and position, stressing that Thailand is acting in accordance with international law and seeks to prevent further loss of life and escalation.
He insisted the situation must be resolved as quickly as possible, regardless of the election timeline, to prevent further loss of life, adding that the military would move swiftly to secure sovereignty and protect Thai citizens and soldiers.
Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said before leaving for Kuala Lumpur last night that Thailand’s three core principles are that Cambodia must be the party to declare a ceasefire first; the ceasefire must be genuine, continuous and subject to monitoring; and Cambodia must cooperate seriously with Thailand in clearing landmines along the border.
Sihasak said no conditions have yet been met, adding that Thailand remains committed to resolving the situation but requires sincerity from Cambodia.
Any ceasefire, he said, must arise from direct talks between the two countries, with Thailand closely consulting its military in assessing developments.
Cambodia will be represented at the meeting by Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn.
According to Cambodia’s Foreign Ministry, the special meeting will review recent developments with the aim of fostering mutual understanding and confidence, promoting de-escalation of tensions, and restoring peace, stability and good neighbourly relations.
The United States, meanwhile, has urged both sides to end hostilities.
In a statement issued yesterday, Thomas Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson of the US State Department, called on Cambodia and Thailand to withdraw heavy weapons, halt the placement of landmines, and fully implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords.
Washington welcomed ASEAN’s efforts to support both countries in honouring their commitments to end the conflict.
