Thailand backs Malaysian mediation but demands sincerity from Cambodia

Thailand has agreed, in principle, to allow the Malaysian leader, as ASEAN chair, to mediate in the escalating Thai-Cambodian border dispute, but Cambodia must demonstrate its sincerity to resolve the conflict, Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said today.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim spoke to both Phumtham and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet by phone, expressing his willingness to mediate and stressing that the conflict should not continue into further confrontation.

“I informed Anwar that Thailand, in principle, endorses the initiative, but requested that Cambodia shows genuine sincerity, as previous Thai diplomatic efforts failed due to Cambodia’s lack of engagement,” Phumtham told the media.

He added that Cambodia must first demonstrate a serious commitment to resolving the issue, criticising Cambodian authorities for consistently ignoring Thailand’s attempts at dialogue.

He acknowledged that Anwar had spoken with the Cambodian leader prior to calling him.

He also discussed Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, who was seen directing military operations on his Facebook page using a 1:50,000 scale map, the same scale used by Thailand, despite Cambodia’s previous insistence on using a 1:200,000 map.

This, Phumtham claimed, exposes contradictions in Cambodia’s position and undermined Hun Sen’s credibility.

Phumtham stated that Cambodian troops initiated the recent military action, violating mutual agreements over Ta Muen Thom Temple, namely that the site would not be occupied and that troops stationed there would not be armed.

Armed Cambodian soldiers, however, approached the area, prompting Thailand to question their sincerity.

He accused Cambodia of repeatedly provoking incidents along the border, lacking military discipline and causing ongoing disruption. Despite Thai efforts to de-escalate, he claimed Cambodia’s actions undermine peace.