Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia could escalate into war, Thailand’s prime minister warns. Hostilities have entered a second day, with more casualties. However, Thailand is not looking for mediation to resolve the armed conflict with Cambodia.
“If the situation escalates, the conflict could develop into a war,” caretaker Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai told the press on Friday. “Although for now it remains limited to skirmishes.”
The Thai army reports that fighting is now taking place in twelve locations along the disputed border between the two neighboring countries. This would mean that the combat zone has become larger. On Thursday there was fighting in six places.
A seventy-year-old Cambodian man has been killed and five injured in the new fighting, according to an employee of the Cambodian provincial government. According to Thailand, shelling from Cambodia has also claimed several Thai lives.
The United States, China and the Southeast Asian bloc ASEAN had offered their help, but according to Thailand, the two countries must resolve it themselves. “I don’t think we need mediation yet, from any country,” the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs reports. Cambodia must simply stop attacking, a ministry spokesman told Reuters.
Thailand ‘ready’ for consultation with Cambodia
In addition to the major powers China and the United States, which consider the region important and have a lot of influence there, Malaysia has also offered assistance to bring the combatants to the table. Malaysia is currently chairman of ASEAN.
If mediation is needed, then only by Malaysia, Thailand suggests. “We are ready if Cambodia wants to settle this issue via a diplomatic route. Mutually, or if necessary via Malaysia. But so far we have not received an answer.”