Cambodian, Thai premiers discuss border tensions with US president

• In current situation, 'Thailand must reserve the right to take necessary actions to protect Thailand’s sovereignty,' says Thai Premier Anutin Charnvirakul

ISTANBUL

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul said on Saturday that they both discussed the border tensions between the two countries during separate phone calls with US President Donald Trump on Friday.

The call was held "to discuss the developments along the Cambodia-Thailand border, with the aim of continuing the implementation of the peace agreement between Cambodia and Thailand," Hun Manet said on US social media company Facebook.

While thanking Trump for "his initiative" on the ceasefire and the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration, Hun Manet also expressed Phnom Penh's "firm commitment to upholding the spirit of the Kuala Lumpur Joint Declaration and expressed hope that both sides will continue to work together in line with the principles and bilateral mechanisms agreed upon."

Trump, on the other hand, emphasized "his clear position" that he wishes to see lasting peace between Cambodia and Thailand, Hun Manet said.

"In this regard, the President will continue to closely monitor this matter to ensure that no armed clashes reoccur along the Cambodia–Thailand border," he added.

Cambodia maintains its stance of "resolving border issues peacefully, in accordance with the principles and mechanisms previously agreed upon, in order to resolve the Cambodia–Thailand border issue and build lasting peace between the two countries," Hun Manet stressed.

On his Facebook account, Anutin said he talked to both Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Trump on Friday.

The Thai prime minister told Trump that "both sides must adhere to the commitments mutually agreed upon to enable the achievement of peace," according to a statement from the Foreign Ministry.

Anutin, while emphasizing Bangkok's commitment to peace, also urged Cambodia to "acknowledge the facts and take responsibility" for the mine explosion earlier this week. Thailand accused Cambodia of planting new explosives, as well as "demining operations in the 13 areas previously discussed."

He also said that "in the current situation, Thailand must reserve the right to take the necessary actions to protect Thailand’s sovereignty."

One civilian was killed and three others were injured in a cross-border clash between Thailand and Cambodia on Wednesday, with both sides blaming each other, just days after Thailand suspended a peace pact.

The Southeast Asian nations signed the pact last month in Kuala Lumpur in the presence of US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

On July 28, Cambodia and Thailand had agreed to an unconditional ceasefire at a trilateral meeting hosted by Anwar following weeks of hostilities.