Acting Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai warned on the 25th that the cross-border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia “may turn into war.” At the same time, the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs also rejected the mediation proposal put forward by a third country, insisting that the Thai-Cambodian dispute should be resolved through bilateral channels.
According to AFP, Phumtham told reporters in Bangkok: “If the situation escalates, it may turn into a war, but it is still limited to conflict.” He also said that the exchange of fire between the two countries has affected people’s lives and emphasized that the Thai government “has defended our country and sovereignty.”
Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters that although the United States, mainland China and Malaysia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, have expressed their willingness to facilitate dialogue, Thailand is not currently seeking external intervention.
Nikorndej said that he believes that no third-party mediation is needed now. “We insist that the bilateral mechanism is the best way out. This is a confrontation between two countries.” He also said that Cambodia must first stop the violence in the border area.
