THAI FM SEEKS PATH OF PEACE WITH CAMBODIA- Called for withdrawal of troops and heavy weapons from border areas
Thailand’s new foreign minister has stated that Thailand and Cambodia should scale back their military presence along their shared border and work together to de-escalate tensions
Formally sworn into office along with Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul a day earlier, Sihasak Phuangketkeow stressed the need to uphold the ceasefire agreed by Thailand and Cambodia at the end of a deadly five-day conflict in July.
On his first day as foreign minister, he stated that his priority is to secure peace between the two Southeast Asian neighbours, and called for a withdrawal of troops and heavy weapons from border areas.
Tensions over disputed areas exploded into armed conflict in July, including the use of artillery fire and fighter jet sorties. At least 48 people were killed and hundreds and thousands temporarily displaced in the heaviest fighting between the two countries in over a decade.
The fighting ended after both countries agreed a ceasefire brokered in Malaysia on July 28, and the border has remained mostly calm since.
