Phumtham Urges Calm and Diplomacy Amid Cambodia Border Dispute
Deputy PM Phumtham Wechayachai urges calm in the Cambodia border dispute, emphasizing diplomacy. Following a tense encounter between troops, he reassures citizens about existing resolution mechanisms and warns against emotional reactions that could escalate conflict. Negotiations should be prioritized over military responses to maintain peace.
In response to a border dispute with Cambodia, Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Phumtham Wechayachai has urged Thai citizens to maintain calm and prioritize diplomacy over conflict. He emphasized the importance of self-restraint, particularly among netizens, as emotional reactions could escalate tensions that may harm both nations.
The situation arose on March 20, when a Thai patrol unit detected Cambodian troops occupying an area along the Sa Kaeo border. This region is recognized as a no-man’s land per a memorandum of understanding signed in 2000, yet both countries continue to assert claims to it.
A video depicting the encounter between Thai and Cambodian troops gained significant traction on social media, igniting a strong nationalist outcry in Thailand. The footage allegedly shows Cambodian forces behaving aggressively, leading to public outrage and claims of territorial encroachment.
Phumtham reassured the populace, stating there is no cause for alarm as established mechanisms exist to resolve overlapping claims between Thailand and Cambodia. He pointed out that similar border disputes also exist with Myanmar and Laos because differing mapping methods lead to complications.
The Defence Minister advocated for the need for negotiations and mutual restraint when addressing these disputes. He cautioned against deploying forces to disputed areas, stating, “Deploying forces to occupy disputed areas could lead to war,” and expressed the necessity of continuing dialogue between the nations’ leaders.
When questioned about the implications of the Cambodian soldiers’ actions, Phumtham advised against perceiving it as a provocation, which might worsen the situation. He reminded citizens of the available diplomatic channels for lodging formal protests against Cambodia’s actions.
In closing, Phumtham called for self-restraint from all segments of Thai society in dealing with border issues, asserting that emotional responses could lead to needless violence and prolonged conflict.
In light of the recent border dispute with Cambodia, Deputy Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai emphasized the importance of diplomacy and self-restraint among the Thai populace. He reassured citizens that mechanisms are in place to handle such disputes, urging caution against emotional reactions that may escalate tensions. A cooperative approach in negotiations remains critical for maintaining peace and stability in the region.
Original Source: www.nationthailand.com
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