Cambodians rally over Thai border spat as leaders row over leaked call
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A massive crowd joined a “Solidarity March” to support Cambodia’s government and troops stationed on the border with Thailand.
PHOTO: AFP
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PHNOM PENH – Tens of thousands of Cambodians took to the streets of Phnom Penh on June 18 in a government rally over a border spat with Thailand, as a leaked phone call between leaders triggered a fresh row.
A massive crowd led by Deputy Prime Minister Hun Many – Prime Minister Hun Manet’s youngest brother – joined a “Solidarity March” to support the government and troops stationed on the border with Thailand.
Singing patriotic songs and flourishing Cambodian flags and portraits of Mr Hun Manet and his father, former leader Hun Sen, supporters marched to the Independence Monument in the heart of the capital.
One Cambodian soldier was killed on May 28 as troops exchanged fire in a disputed area known as the Emerald Triangle, where the borders of Cambodia, Thailand and Laos meet.
Despite weekend talks between the two sides, the stand-off shows little sign of abating, and on June 18 a new spat blew up after a recording of a call on June 15 between Mr Hun Sen and Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was leaked online.
Ms Paetongtarn accused Mr Hun Sen of deliberately leaking a private conversation and said he had damaged trust between the two sides.
“It is clear now that his intention was to gain domestic popularity, without caring about the effect on international relations,” she told reporters in Bangkok.
“We talked for peace without realising that it would be used as part of his plan to boost his popularity.”
People taking part in a solidarity march in Phnom Penh to suport the Cambodian government’s actions in its recent border dispute with Thailand, on June 18.
PHOTO: AFP
Mr Hun Sen stepped down in 2023 after ruling Cambodia with an iron fist for nearly four decades, but he still wields considerable influence with his son’s government.
He insisted he had not leaked the recording online, but said he had shared it with “approximately 80 individuals” including lawmakers, party officials and members of the armed forces.
In the nine-minute portion of the recording posted online, the two leaders discuss restrictions imposed on border crossings after the border clash, as well as troop deployments.
Fruit and veg ban
Mr Hun Many told the crowd in Phnom Penh that the march was “an encouragement and additional energy for the government and our forces”.
“When the country faces a threat or any insult, the Cambodian people will not stay still, we will stand up in united spirit,” he said.
Cambodia has asked the International Court of Justice (ICJ)
Cambodian leaders have repeatedly said the move is to prevent further military clashes.
The stand-off has led to Cambodia on June 17 banning imports of Thai fruit and vegetables
Phnom Penh has also banned Thai dramas from TV and cinemas
Carrying Cambodian flags and portraits of Mr Hun Manet and his father, former leader Hun Sen, supporters marched to the Independence Monument in the heart of the capital.
PHOTO: AFP
Mr Hun Manet said on June 17 he wants to maintain “peace and good cooperation” with Thailand.
“Filing a complaint at the ICJ to resolve the dispute peacefully is our best option to keep friendship and good cooperation with Thailand,” he added.
He said a return to normality depends on the Thai authorities.
“The ball is in the hands of (the) Thai side, Thai military,” he added.
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura reiterated Bangkok’s view that the two sides should resolve the matter together, rather than at the ICJ.
“Thailand remains to committed to using the bilateral mechanism to resolve border issues with Cambodia with sincerity and in good faith,” he told reporters.
“This is in line with international norms and practices.”
The border row dates back to the drawing of the countries’ 800km frontier in the early 20th century during the French occupation of Indochina.
Cambodia has previously sought help from the ICJ in a territorial dispute over a border temple.
In 1962, the court ruled that the disputed Preah Vihear temple belonged to Cambodia, and in 2013, the ICJ awarded an area next to the temple to Cambodia as well.
Thailand says it does not accept the court’s jurisdiction.
Violence sparked by the dispute has led to at least 28 deaths in the region since 2008. AFP
