Thai PM only exchanged pleasantries with Hun Manet, spokesperson says

A Thai government spokesperson today denied Cambodian media reports that Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul held an informal discussion with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet in Vietnam, saying Anutin merely exchanged pleasantries while waiting for the opening of a regional forum.

Rachada Dhnadirek said Anutin was attending the 3rd ASEAN Future Forum in Hanoi alongside a number of other ASEAN leaders.

"There was no meeting between Anutin and the Cambodian leader. The interaction between the two prime ministers was limited to a courtesy greeting and casual conversation among regional leaders while they waited for the event to begin before delivering their speeches," she said.

Cambodia's Fresh News published a photograph showing Anutin shaking hands with Hun Manet, accompanied by a caption stating that the two leaders had "held an informal meeting" ahead of the opening of the ASEAN Future Forum.

"There was no meeting between Thailand and Cambodia," Rachada said.

The two countries have been at loggerheads over border issues following tensions that included cross-border clashes beginning last year. Thailand has closed several border checkpoints with Cambodia and downgraded diplomatic relations.

A new dispute emerged this year when the Anutin government revoked a 25-year-old memorandum of understanding (MoU) on maritime boundary negotiations with Cambodia, citing a lack of progress in the talks.

Phnom Penh subsequently asked the United Nations to intervene in the maritime dispute, prompting Bangkok to threaten to suspend discussions aimed at restoring bilateral relations.