Phnom penh: Following the interview of H.E. Gen. Natthaphon Nakpanich, Deputy Minister of Defence of Thailand on July 2, H.E. Gen. Tea Seiha, Minister of National Defence of Cambodia said he had held no talks with the Thai side, both formal and informal.
According to Agence Kampuchea Presse, since the meeting with H.E. Phumtham Wechayachai, when he was the Minister of National Defence of Thailand, in Sa Kaeo province, there has been no more formal or informal communication between both sides.
'I have not engaged in any discussions with Thai side,' he underlined.
On behalf of the Cambodian Ministry of National Defence and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, H.E. Gen. Tea Seiha is acting strictly in accordance with the directives of the Prime Minister and the Royal Government of Cambodia.
H.E. Gen. Tea Seiha also thanked the Thai Deputy Defence Minister for his remarks emphasising mutual respect for the rights and well-being of Cambodian and Thai citizens who rely on cross-border travel.
H.E. Gen. Tea Seiha reiterated that Cambodia did not close the border. The closure-or adjustment of operating hours-was a unilateral decision by the Thai military.
Therefore, the resolution of this issue rests entirely with the Thai side. The Thai military alone holds the authority to address this matter; no negotiation with Cambodia is required. The key lies solely in the hands of the Thai Military, he stated.