Phnom Penh (VNA) – Cambodia announced on July 24 that it has decided to downgrade its diplomatic relations with Thailand to the lowest level – that of second chargé d’affaires.
Cambodia has simultaneously demanded that Thai diplomats leave Cambodia within a specified timeframe.
The announcement was made on July 24 early morning via the Telegram channel of Cambodian Minister of Information Neth Pheaktra and was subsequently reported by the Cambodian state news agency AKP and various local media outlets.
According to the statement, Cambodia also recalled all its staff at the Cambodian Embassy in Bangkok.
AKP reported that this move followed a statement by Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai, who said the Thai Government had recalled its ambassador to Cambodia and asked the Cambodian ambassador to leave Thailand, indicating a reassessment of bilateral relations.
Meanwhile, tensions along the Thailand – Cambodia border have intensified after five Thai soldiers were injured – one seriously – by landmines in a disputed border area in Thailand’s Ubon Ratchathani province on the afternoon of July 23. The incident occurred near the Chong An Ma border gate and prompted the Thai Government to order the closure of all border crossings in the country’s northeast.
In response to the escalating situation, the Thai military has activated the emergency plan “Chakrapong Phuwanart”, which was last used in 2011 during the conflict over the Preah Vihear Temple area./.
