Thailand said Bangkok would not be "pressured or harmed" during the ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting on Monday, December 22, which will discuss the ongoing border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia.
Deputy spokesperson for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maratee Nalita Andamo, said Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow would lead a delegation to Malaysia for the discussions, according to local news site The Nation.
"Thailand's attitude remains clear: this country wants peace and does not pose a threat or violate the sovereignty of other countries. Thailand has consistently expressed its desire for lasting peace, and Cambodia must show sincerity in this regard," said Maratee, quoted by Antara, Sunday, December 21.
The Thai army also condemned Cambodia for "using violence against civilian targets," launching BM-21 rockets that hit houses and Phanom Dong Rak Hospital.
Meanwhile, Cambodia said Thailand was bombing Cambodian territory with F-16s, according to Khmer Times.
Thai jets also destroyed the O' Jik Bridge, which is located along the border between Siem Reap and Oddar Meanchey provinces, on Friday night (19/12), according to the report.
The report also said that on Saturday (20/12), civilian areas, including private commercial buildings and an elementary school in Thmor Da district, Pursat province, were also targeted.
China's Special Envoy for Asian Affairs, Deng Xijin, has also visited Phnom Penh to discuss de-escalation efforts and ending the ongoing conflict, said a statement from the Cambodian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Saturday (20/12).
During his visit, Deng met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, among other high-ranking officials on Friday (19/12).
"During this meeting, both parties underlined the urgent need for an immediate ceasefire and stressed that peaceful dialogue remains the only viable path to resolve differences," the statement said.
Deng reiterated that China would continue to play a "constructive role in facilitating dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand with the aim of promoting a peaceful settlement of the dispute," according to the statement.
According to Thai authorities, during the ongoing clashes, 21 Thai soldiers and one civilian were killed, while the Cambodian Ministry of Interior said 18 Cambodian civilians had been killed and another 78 injured.
Thailand also said 33 civilians were killed as "collateral damage of the situation," meaning they died indirectly as a result of the situation.
Clashes continued despite US President Donald Trump saying last week that leaders of the two countries had agreed to stop 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 the agreement was later suspended after Thai soldiers were seriously injured by a landmine explosion in a border province.
Thailand and Cambodia have a long-running border dispute that has repeatedly triggered violence, including clashes in July that killed at least 48 people.
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