Here's a quick look at the growing tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border unfolding this December. 🚀
On December 14, Thai Army spokesperson Winthai Suvari confirmed there's no active ceasefire. He reported that Cambodian forces launched BM-21 rocket strikes targeting a community and school zone in Sisaket Province, killing one civilian and setting a home ablaze. In response, Thai media say the Royal Thai Air Force sent F-16 jets in strikes near the border on December 13. 💥
On December 13, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, acting as ASEAN chair, proposed an immediate ceasefire to start at 10 p.m., monitored by an ASEAN team with U.S. observers. Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet welcomed the plan, but Thailand has yet to agree. 🛑
Cambodia’s Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra accused Thai airstrikes of hitting a hotel and two bridges in Pursat Province’s Veal Veng District, damaging villages and essential infrastructure. By December 12, Cambodian authorities reported 11 civilians killed, 59 injured, and over 303,000 displaced across five provinces. 🏚️
Diplomatic efforts have stalled. U.S. President Donald Trump held calls with both leaders on December 12, later claiming a ceasefire deal—an assertion Thailand promptly denied. Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul vowed on December 13 to continue operations until the border is secure. 📞
Malaysia plans a special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting soon to address the crisis. This breakdown follows an August 7 ceasefire and an October 26 joint peace statement at the 47th ASEAN Summit. All eyes are now on whether diplomacy can reclaim the upper hand. 🌏
Reference(s):
Thai-Cambodian border tensions persist as ceasefire efforts stall
cgtn.com
