Bangkok submits ceasefire violation reports to Malaysia, US, and China

The Thai government has submitted reports to Malaysia, the US, and China, detailing Cambodian violations of the recent ceasefire agreement, in their capacities as host and witnesses to the truce talks held in Malaysia yesterday, Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampong said today.

The summary reports detailed what Thailand regarded as breaches of the truce, which was agreed upon to end the fighting along the Thai-Cambodian border between midnight on July 28th, the start of the ceasefire, and 10 a.m. today.

The reports were sent to Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim via his Foreign Minister, Mohamad Hazan, as Anwar was the host of yesterday’s peace talks.

The same reports were submitted to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi, whose ambassadors to Malaysia attended the talks as witnesses.

“We decided to submit the reports because, despite the ceasefire at midnight, we continued to receive information and reports of attacks from our armed forces by Cambodian troops against Thai military positions inside our territory,” Maris said.

“That is the reason why we are exercising the right of self-defense in a proportionate manner in response to the attacks by Cambodian troops this morning.”

Meanwhile, Government Spokesman Jirayu Huangsub said after the weekly Cabinet meeting that the Cabinet agreed to give full authority to the military to decide when it is appropriate to withdraw troops from the border or to maintain their current positions until the situation has de-escalated satisfactorily.

Thai troops are currently controlling the Preah Vihear, Ta Muen Thom, and Ta Kwai ancient temples, as well as the strategic Pha Makua hilltop, close to the Preah Vihear Temple.

Regarding the more than 100,000 Thai civilians taking refuge in various evacuation centres, Jirayu said the Border Situation Administrative Centre will decide when it is safe enough for them to return home.