Thailand has voiced its concerns to China regarding a recent delivery of tanks to Cambodia, fearing that this military move might threaten the delicate ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia after last year’s violent border conflicts. This issue was brought up by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as reported by Thailand’s foreign ministry. Officials in Thailand have pointed out that the timing and nature of the military shipment could further complicate the already tense relations between the two neighboring countries, despite several ceasefire agreements being in place.
The delivery involved 39 Chinese-manufactured T-59D battle tanks sent to Cambodia under an existing military cooperation arrangement. Thai authorities have clarified that there is no sign of these tanks being stationed near the border. Nonetheless, the underlying tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have persisted since the skirmishes along their shared border, with disputes rooted in historical colonial-era treaties and maps continuing to obstruct diplomatic negotiations.
China has defended its military cooperation with both Thailand and Cambodia as routine and non-threatening to any third party. Earlier this year, Beijing also supplied Cambodia with a Type 056 guided-missile corvette, reinforcing its defense ties with the country. Despite these developments, Thai officials have expressed appreciation for China’s neutral position and its efforts to alleviate tensions, while emphasizing the necessity for Thailand and Cambodia to resolve their differences through bilateral discussions.
In a bid to foster better communication and cooperation, Thailand and China have agreed to establish a new dialogue mechanism involving their foreign and defense ministers. This initiative aims to address various concerns, with the initial discussions expected to focus on combating cross-border scam operations. By engaging in these talks, both countries hope to strengthen their diplomatic relations and address mutual security challenges.