Thailand Rejects Mediation, Urges Cambodia To Stop Attacks

JJuru bicara Kementerian Luar Negeri Thailand, Nikornej Balankura/DOK PHOTO via X @MFAThai

JAKARTA - Thailand rejects mediation efforts from third-party countries to end the ongoing conflict with Cambodia.

Thailand insisted on urging Phnom Penh to stop attacks and resolve the situation only through bilateral negotiations.

The heated border tension between Thailand and Cambodia has flared up into open hostilities across the front lines, firing artillery each other for two consecutive days.

It was reported that 16 people, mostly Thai civilians, died in the toughest fighting between the two neighboring Southeast Asian countries in more than a decade.

The United States, China, and Malaysia, which are currently chairmen of regional ASEAN blocs, have offered to facilitate dialogue, but Bangkok is working on bilateral solutions to the conflict.

"I don't think we need mediation from a third country," Thailand's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikornej Balankura told Reuters on Friday, July 25.

Cambodia and Thailand accused each other of starting a conflict on Thursday, July 24, early in the morning at the disputed location.

Serangan mulai dari tembakan senjata ringan hingga akhirnya penembakan hebat di sepanjang perbatasan yang keulatannya telah dibelangkan selama lebih dari satu musa.

"We remain on our stance that the bilateral mechanism is the best way out, this is a confrontation between the two countries," Nikornej said and stressed that Cambodia must stop violence along the border first.

"Our door is still open," he said.

The Cambodian government did not immediately respond to a response request regarding the Thai authorities' statement.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet called on the United Nations Security Council (UN) to hold a meeting on the matter, condemning what he called "unwarranted and planned military aggression" by Thailand.

The UN Security Council said it would hold a closed-door meeting to discuss the matter on Friday.

Fighting broke out a day after Thailand withdrew its ambassador to Phnom Penh on Wednesday and expelled Cambodian envoys in response to a landmine explosion that injured Thai soldiers.

Thai authorities have accused the mines of being recently installed by Cambodia. Thailand's accusations were denied by Phnom Penh because they were considered baseless.