Thailand has raised concerns with China following the delivery of military tanks to Cambodia, fearing the action might destabilize a delicate ceasefire between the neighboring nations. Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul addressed the issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a recent meeting, as reported by Thailand’s foreign ministry. The delivery’s timing and nature have Thai officials worried about its potential to further strain the already tense relations with Cambodia, despite ongoing ceasefire agreements.
Under an existing military cooperation agreement, Cambodia received 39 Chinese-made T-59D battle tanks. Thai authorities clarified that these tanks have not been positioned near the contentious border area. The relationship between Thailand and Cambodia has been fraught with tension since last year’s violent border clashes, which stemmed from unresolved disputes over land and maritime boundaries traced back to colonial-era treaties and maps.
China, on its part, has defended its military dealings with both nations as routine and not aimed at any third party. Earlier this year, Beijing also supplied Cambodia with a Type 056 guided-missile corvette. In response to the delivery, Thai officials expressed appreciation for China’s neutral role and its attempts to mediate tensions, while underscoring the necessity for Thailand and Cambodia to resolve their differences through direct dialogue.
In an effort to address broader regional issues, Thailand and China have agreed to establish a new dialogue mechanism that will involve their foreign and defense ministers. This initiative aims to address various challenges, starting with efforts to combat cross-border scam operations. The first round of talks under this framework is anticipated to focus on these security concerns, potentially paving the way for improved cooperation and stability in the region.