Cambodia Urges Restraint After Deadly Border Clash With Thailand
A Cambodian soldier was killed in a border firefight with Thai troops. Both sides blame each other for initiating the clash near Preah Vihear. Cambodian PM Hun Manet called for calm and reassured the public.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet has called for restraint and calm following a fatal border clash with Thai forces that left one Cambodian soldier dead. The brief exchange of fire occurred in a disputed zone along the Cambodian-Thai border near Preah Vihear province on Wednesday.
In a written statement on Thursday, Hun Manet, currently on a visit to Japan, urged citizens not to “panic over unverified material being circulated,” and stressed that his government seeks to avoid conflict with neighboring Thailand. “I hope that the upcoming meeting between the Cambodian and Thai army commanders will produce positive results to preserve stability and good military communication,” he added.
Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence accused Thai forces of firing first on a long-established Cambodian military post. Thai authorities, however, blamed Cambodian troops for initiating the clash and cited the digging of a trench in the contested area as a provocation. “The return fire was necessary to defend ourselves and protect Thailand’s sovereignty,” said Thai Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, adding that both sides remain on alert despite a ceasefire.