Thailand says will not be 'pressured' into 'disadvantaged position' at ASEAN meeting on conflict with Cambodia

By Saadet Gokce

ISTANBUL (AA)—Thailand said on Saturday that Bangkok will not be "pressured or put at a disadvantage" during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Foreign Ministers' Meeting on Monday, which will discuss the ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.

Foreign Ministry deputy spokesperson Maratee Nalita Andamo said Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow would lead a delegation to Malaysia for the discussions, according to the local news website The Nation.

"Thailand’s stance remains clear: the country seeks peace and does not pose a threat or encroach upon the sovereignty of other nations. Thailand has consistently expressed its desire for lasting peace, and Cambodia must demonstrate sincerity in this matter," she said.

The Thai Army has also condemned Cambodia for its "use of violence against civilian targets," launching BM-21 rockets that hit homes and the Phanom Dong Rak Hospital.

Meanwhile, Cambodia said Thailand bombed Cambodian territory with F-16s, according to the Khmer Times.

Thai jets also destroyed O’ Jik Bridge, located along the border between Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey provinces, late Friday, it said, adding that on Saturday, civilian areas, including private commercial buildings and a primary school in Thmor Da district, Pursat province, were also targeted.

China's Special Envoy for Asian Affairs, Deng Xijun, has also visited Phnom Penh to discuss efforts to de-escalate and bring an end to the ongoing conflict, a statement from the Cambodian Foreign Ministry said Saturday.

During his visit, Deng met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, among other high-ranking officials, on Friday.

"During these meetings, both sides underscored the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and emphasized that peaceful dialogue remains the only viable path toward resolving differences," it said.

Deng reaffirmed that China will continue to play a "constructive role in facilitating dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand with a view to promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes," according to the statement.

According to Thai authorities, during the ongoing clashes, 21 Thai soldiers and 1 civilian have been killed, while Cambodia’s Interior Ministry said 18 Cambodian civilians have been killed and 78 others injured.

Thailand also said that 33 civilians were killed as "collateral effects of the situation," as in they were killed indirectly due to the situation.

The clashes have continued despite US President Donald Trump saying last week that the countries’ leaders had agreed to halt the fighting.

The two countries signed a peace agreement in October in Kuala Lumpur in the presence of Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, but that was later suspended after Thai soldiers were seriously injured in a landmine explosion in a border province.

Thailand and Cambodia have a long-running border dispute that has repeatedly erupted into violence, including clashes in July in which at least 48 people were killed.