September 19, 2025 | 07:29 am
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet accused Thailand on Thursday of barring civilians from returning to their homes on the disputed border between the two countries.
It comes a day after Thai police fired tear gas and rubber bullets at Cambodian protesters in a disputed border village.
What did Hun Manet say?
The Cambodian PM sent a formal letter on Wednesday to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres which was released on Thursday.
In the letter, he accused Thai forces of having "widened the conflict zone by erecting barbed wire and barricades," and "forcibly" evicting Cambodian civilians from their "long-settled lands" in two border villages in northwestern Banteay Meanchey province since last month.
"Twenty-five families have already been blocked from their homes and fields," Hun Manet wrote, saying a Thai military spokesperson had threatened more evictions, "potentially affecting hundreds of households comprised of about a thousand inhabitants."
Some 23 Cambodians were injured in Wednesday's incident, according to Cambodian authorities.
The clash took place at a disputed border town that Thailand claims as part of Ban Nong Ya Kew village in southeastern Sa Kaeo province, but which Cambodia says is part of Prey Chan village in its northwestern Bantheay Meanchey province.
The Southeast Asian neighbors had just recently reached a ceasefire in late July, after five days of clashes along the border left at least 43 people dead.
What was Thailand's response to Cambodia?
In response, the Thai army said the evicted Cambodian residents had "illegally occupied" Thai territory.
Thai army spokesperson Winthai Suvaree said in a statement accused Cambodian military personnel of failing to intervene on Wednesday as Cambodian villagers "carried long wooden sticks as makeshift weapons, showing intent to harm Thai officials and breach Thai barriers."
Thailand's army said it had to use force to respond to provocation from some 200 Cambodian protesters, some of whom dismantled Thai defensive barriers, threw sticks and stones and fired slingshots at Thai officials.
Both sides report ceasefire violations
The clashes between Cambodia and Thailand in July forced 300,000 people to flee their homes along the border.
The two nations agreed on an "immediate and unconditional" truce, after a mediation meeting in Malaysia, the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
But just hours after the ceasefire came into effect, the Thai army reported violations by Cambodian forces in multiple areas — claims that were dismissed by Cambodia's Defense Ministry.
Since then, both sides have since traded accusations of ceasefire violations.
Hun Manet warned that Thailand's "unilateral actions that risk escalating tensions and widening the conflict."
Editor’s Choice: Thailand, Cambodia Spar over Landmine Use
Click here to get the latest news updates from Tempo on Google News
Indonesia's FIFA Ranking Down to 119 After Goalless Draw with Lebanon
6 hari lalu
The Indonesian national team only gained a total of 3.43 points from two FIFA Matchday games against Taiwan and Lebanon.
Trump Claims Netanyahu, Not U.S., Decides to Strike Qatar
8 hari lalu
President Trump expresses concern over the situation and emphasizes the desire for the hostages to return.
Thailand's Former PM Thaksin Sentenced to One Year in Prison
9 hari lalu
Thaksin Shinawatra was accused of having served a previous jail term in hospital detention, triggering widespread skepticism and public outrage.
Trump Claims Israel Accepted Ceasefire Terms, Pressures Hamas to Agree
10 hari lalu
Donald Trump on Sunday said Israel had accepted his ceasefire proposal and urged Hamas to follow suit, warning of consequences if it refuses.
Thailand's New Prime Minister Takes Office
11 hari lalu
Anutin Charnvirakul officially took office as Thailand's prime minister after King Maha Vajiralongkorn endorsed his appointment on Sunday.
Thailand Hotels Lower Rates as Foreign Tourist Arrivals Fall
12 hari lalu
Hotels in Thailand are lowering rates as foreign arrivals, especially from China, are projected to drop 5.6 percent to 33.1 million in 2025.
Who Is Anutin Charnvirakul, Thailand's New PM Who Pushed Marijuana Legalization?
12 hari lalu
Anutin Charnvirakul, 58, confirmed as Thailand's new prime minister, is a pragmatic Bhumjaithai Party leader best known for decriminalizing marijuana.
Thailand Parliament Elects Anutin Charnvirakul as New Prime Minister
12 hari lalu
Thailand's parliament elected Anutin Charnvirakul, 58, as prime minister, defeating Pheu Thai's Chaikasem Nitisiri in the first such vote since 2019.
Thai Influencer Faces Doxing Threats for Posting About Indonesian Protests
13 hari lalu
A Thai national Yammi said he frequently uploads content related to the mass protests that have been taking place in Indonesia since late August.
Pope Leo XIV Hosts Israeli President, Renews Call for Gaza Ceasefire
13 hari lalu
Pope Leo XIV reiterated his call for a ceasefire in Gaza during his meeting with Israeli President Isaac Herzog
