US President Donald Trump posted that a landmine blast which killed and injured Thai soldiers was an “accident” and claimed Thailand retaliated “very strongly” after he brokered a ceasefire with Thai and Cambodian leaders. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul later defended Thailand’s actions, saying they were necessary to protect the country’s sovereignty.
US President Donald Trump on Friday posted a message following phone calls with the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia, claiming both sides had agreed to a ceasefire and describing the landmine incident that killed and wounded Thai soldiers as an “accident” – but adding that Thailand had responded “very strongly”.
Trump wrote:
“I had a very good conversation this morning with the Prime Minister of Thailand, Anutin Charnvirakul, and the Prime Minister of Cambodia, Hun Manet, concerning the very unfortunate reawakening of their long-running War. They have agreed to CEASE all shooting effective this evening, and go back to the original Peace Accord made with me, and them, with the help of the Great Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim. The roadside bomb that originally killed and wounded numerous Thai Soldiers was an accident, but Thailand nevertheless retaliated very strongly. Both Countries are ready for PEACE and continued Trade with the United States of America. It is my Honor to work with Anutin and Hun in resolving what could have evolved into a major War between two otherwise wonderful and prosperous Countries! I would also like to thank the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Anwar Ibrahim, for his assistance in this very important matter.”
Anutin defends Thailand’s stance after Trump call
Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul later told reporters that he had explained Thailand’s position on the Thai-Cambodian border clashes directly to President Trump, stressing that Thailand’s actions were taken to defend its sovereignty.
Speaking on Friday night after their phone call at around 9.20pm, Anutin said Trump had expressed hope that the situation would return to peace under the terms of the US-brokered joint declaration previously signed by Thailand and Cambodia in Malaysia.
Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Commerce Minister Suphajee Suthumpun were also present during the call.
“In cases of violations resulting in loss of life or property on the Thai side, Thailand has the necessity to retaliate in order to defend our sovereignty, our territory, the property of the Thai people, and ultimately the lives of our citizens. This is why we needed to explain this clearly to the President,” Anutin said.
He added that Trump had told him Thailand could contact the US “at any time” and had assured him that Washington would not use trade tariffs as leverage in relation to the border situation.
Anutin also said that Thailand’s domestic political situation had no bearing on the border dispute, which he described as an internal matter of the Kingdom.
Thailand, he said, shares the hope of many parties for peace and an end to bloodshed along the border.
