Bangkok: The Prime Minister of Thailand engaged in discussions with US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim regarding the ongoing Thai-Cambodian border issue, reaffirming Thailand’s steadfast position on the matter.
According to Thai News Agency, the Prime Minister, who also serves as the Minister of the Interior, Anutin Charnvirakul, shared details of his conversation with both leaders on his Facebook page. The discussions centered around the conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, with emphasis on adhering to the peace-building objectives set forth in the Kuala Lumpur Declaration.
The Prime Minister expressed gratitude for the advice from both leaders, acknowledging their roles as witnesses to the declaration. He stressed the importance of considering the insights from Thai security agencies to establish further guidelines, especially in light of Cambodia’s alleged non-compliance with the agreement and the subsequent placement of new mines in Thai territory.
He conveyed to Trump and Anwar that independent observers confirmed the presence of these mines, which were placed after the declaration was signed. The Thai government, he asserted, would halt its operations under the declaration until Cambodia acknowledges the violation and issues an apology for the incident at Phu Makhuea, which resulted in injuries to Thai soldiers.
The Prime Minister reiterated that Thailand reserves the right to uphold its sovereignty and ensure the safety of its citizens, urging the Cambodian government to respect the agreement and facilitate mine clearance operations by the Thai military.
He further informed the US President and the Malaysian Prime Minister that Cambodia’s actions have eroded trust among the Thai people, complicating peace efforts. Despite this, the Thai government remains committed to regional peace but seeks genuine cooperation from neighboring countries.
Additionally, the Prime Minister highlighted the historical assistance Thailand has provided to Cambodian refugees, expressing disappointment in Cambodia’s current stance. He assured both leaders that Thailand has no intention of invading Cambodia but is prepared to take necessary measures to protect its sovereignty.
In a lighter moment of the conversation, President Trump inquired about trade negotiations, to which the Prime Minister requested further tariff reductions. Trump indicated that if the mine clearance progresses swiftly, he would consider additional tariff cuts for Thailand. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar also pledged to reinforce the terms of the declaration through ASEAN channels.
Before concluding their discussions, both Trump and Anwar extended their best wishes to the Thai populace, a gesture acknowledged with gratitude by the Prime Minister.