Actions urged for ceasefire in border clashes

A ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia must be demonstrated through concrete actions, and peaceful settlement of border disputes is possible through mutual trust and respect, officials from both sides say.

Maratee Nalita Andamo, deputy spokeswoman of Thailand's Foreign Ministry, said at a news conference on Tuesday that a ceasefire is a matter for the two countries in conflict and must be demonstrated through concrete actions.

"Regarding the recent news and public discussion about the Gulf of Thailand, Thailand reaffirms its commitment to international law," she said.

"Thailand has no intention of escalating the situation. Our focus is on protecting national sovereignty, reducing potential threats and ensuring freedom of navigation."

On Monday, Cambodia's permanent representative to the United Nations, Keo Chhea, delivered a statement at the UN Peacebuilding Commission meeting in New York regarding the recent border conflicts, The Phnom Penh Post reported.

"Peaceful settlement of border disputes is possible through mutual trust and respect," he said. "However, peaceful conflict resolution cannot occur when one country rejects dialogue, turns to the use of military force and ignores peace mechanisms in resolving the conflict."

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said on Monday that as a friendly neighbor and friend of Cambodia and Thailand, China has been deeply saddened by the casualties resulting from the conflict and expresses heartfelt sympathies.

For the two neighbors, the top priorities are ensuring a ceasefire, putting an end to the conflict and protecting civilians, Guo said, adding China supports direct dialogue and consultation between the two countries, as well as the efforts of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations to pursue a mutually acceptable solution within the ASEAN framework.

Meanwhile, Thailand's National Security Council has approved stricter maritime measures to stop fuel and strategic supplies from being shipped to Cambodia, which reported continued heavy firing from Thailand across the border.

Following inspections that found abnormally high volumes of fuel exports through the Chong Mek border checkpoint in Ubon Ratchathani Province, Thailand's Second Army Region ordered the suspension of exports of all types of fuel, military equipment and related items, the National News Bureau of Thailand reported on Tuesday.

Thailand's Defense Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit confirmed before a National Security Council meeting that authorities are aware of fuel being transported into Cambodia. He reiterated that the measures in place are nonviolent, saying he remains confident the situation will be resolved soon.

Artillery shelling

The Cambodian Defense Ministry said the Thai military continued large-scale attacks against Cambodia's Military Regions 4 and 5, particularly in Preah Vihear, Oddar Meanchey, Pursat, and Banteay Meanchey provinces from late on Monday to Tuesday morning.

The Interior Ministry accused Thai troops on Tuesday of firing artillery shells on Monday at a primary school in O'Beichoan commune, Banteay Meanchey Province, the state news agency AKP reported. The shelling completely destroyed buildings and food stalls within the school compound.

As of Monday, a total of 1,039 schools across six provinces have been forced to close, affecting 9,797 teachers and 242,881 students, Cambodia's Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport said.

A total of 15 Cambodian civilians have been killed and 76 injured since the border conflict reignited on Dec 7, the Interior Ministry said on Tuesday. The fighting has also displaced 126,508 families, equivalent to 422,698 individuals, the ministry was quoted by AKP as saying.

Xinhua contributed to this story.