“Cambodia must first announce ceasefire for fighting to stop”

Thailand today demanded Cambodia to be the first to announce a ceasefire for the ongoing deadly border clashes which have entered their second week to stop.

Thai Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maratee Nalita Andamo said such a ceasefire must also be “genuine and sustainable.”

“Not a ceasefire that is again followed by violence,” she said at a daily joint media briefing by the Foreign Ministry and the armed forces.

She said it is incumbent on Cambodia to initiate a ceasefire “since it was the one that violated Thai territory.”

She said Thailand also wants Cambodia to “sincerely cooperate” in demining efforts on the border. Thailand has accused Cambodia of laying fresh landmines in their common borders that have injured several Thai military personnel – charges which Phnom Penh has vehemently denied.

They are the three conditions Cambodia need to comply with for the border fighting to stop, she said.

Maratee also insisted that Thailand’s continued military operation is in self-defence in response to Cambodian attacks.

Cambodia did not immediately respond to Thailand's statement.

US President Donald Trump, who intervened in the border conflict earlier this year, last week claimed the two countries had agreed to a ceasefire beginning Saturday night.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said his country supported the ceasefire initiative of Malaysia, chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, with Washington's participation.

But fighting has continued daily since December 7, and Bangkok has denied Trump's claim of a truce.