Emergency Talks Convened in Malaysia

As tensions persist along the Thai-Cambodian border, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, in his capacity as ASEAN Chair, has convened urgent negotiations in Kuala Lumpur. The meeting brings together Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, with discussions held at the Malaysian Prime Minister’s Office.

The Thai delegation includes:

• Maris Sangiampongsa, Minister of Foreign Affairs

• Gen Natthapon Nakpanich, Deputy Minister of Defence

• Prommin Lertsuridej, Secretary-General to the Prime Minister

• Jirayu Huangsap, PM’s Office Spokesperson and SOC-TCBSM representative

Map Dispute and Sovereignty Concerns

Image Credit: Channel News Asia

A central issue in the dialogue involves differing border demarcation maps. Thai officials reiterated their use of the 1:50,000 scale map, rejecting reports that they would negotiate based on the 1:200,000 map referenced by Cambodian sources.

Jirayu Huangsap denied media claims suggesting a shift in Thailand’s position, affirming the country’s commitment to its longstanding territorial stance and urging caution around the spread of inaccurate information.

Rise of Misinformation

The Ministry of Digital Economy and Society (DES) reported that 8 of the top 10 fake news stories last week were related to the Thai-Cambodian border situation. Among the most widely circulated were unverified social media posts, allegedly linked to Cambodia’s Minister of Information, which claimed that Thailand was planning attacks against Cambodian leaders.

These claims were firmly denied by Nikorndej Balankura, Director-General of Thailand’s Department of Information, who emphasized that such unfounded accusations undermine diplomatic dialogue, especially during sensitive General Border Committee (GBC) negotiations.

GBC Negotiations Show Progress

Despite the complexities, the GBC talks have yielded some movement. Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson for the Ad Hoc Centre on Border Issues, confirmed a secretary-level agreement, which is pending review by the National Security Council (NSC) and a Cabinet session before further action.

Officials noted that, while defensive measures have been reinforced in certain areas, the overall border situation remains stable, with no escalation in troop deployments. Specific incidents—such as the removal of barbed wire near Chong An Ma, were resolved through direct communication.

Detention of Cambodian Soldiers and Legal Basis

The detention of 18 Cambodian soldiers by Thai forces has become a key point of contention. Maj Gen Winthai Suwaree, Royal Thai Army spokesperson, explained that the detentions were conducted in accordance with international law, including the Geneva Conventions, and emphasized that repatriation would follow the establishment of a verified ceasefire.

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) inspected the detainees on August 5, and Maratee Nalita Andamo, Deputy Spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, cited the visit as an example of Thailand’s transparency and adherence to humanitarian standards.

Landmine Incident and Treaty Concerns

A landmine incident occurred shortly after the previous GBC meeting, raising concerns about potential violations of the Ottawa Convention, which prohibits the use of anti-personnel mines. Thailand has taken the following steps:

• Submitted a protest via its UN ambassador in Geneva

• Raised the issue with the UN Secretary-General in New York

• Dispatched the ASEAN Interim Observation Team (IOT) to investigate alleged breaches

Earlier, representatives from ASEAN and the Ottawa Convention visited Si Sa Ket province, where they reviewed alleged mine use and spoke with affected residents. The ICRC also conducted a humanitarian assessment in Surin, Si Sa Ket, and Ubon Ratchathani, preparing a confidential report for both governments.

Addressing Misinformation Internationally

Thailand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced plans for a virtual briefing with ambassadors and consuls general to share verified information and counter misinformation surrounding the border situation. Officials emphasized the importance of international understanding, accurate reporting, and open dialogue.

Legal Measures Under Review

Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai stated that the Thai government is reviewing a proposal—originating from civil society and academic groups—to consider legal action against Prime Minister Hun Manet and former Prime Minister Hun Sen at the International Criminal Court (ICC). This follows a National Security Council resolution to pursue criminal and civil charges in Thai courts related to casualties and property damage.