thailand clarifies gulf

Thailand Clarifies Gulf Restrictions, Targeting Only Thai Vessels to Disrupt Cambodian Supplies

ByJustpaste.in

BANGKOK – Thai military officials have clarified that newly announced maritime restrictions in the Gulf of Thailand are not a blockade of the sea, but a targeted measure applying solely to Thai-flagged vessels. The move is aimed at preventing the flow of fuel and military supplies into Cambodia amid ongoing border hostilities.

The clarification from Navy Captain Nara Khunthothom, assistant spokesperson for the Royal Thai Navy, came a day after initial announcements caused confusion. He stated that certain areas have been designated “high-risk zones” due to security concerns, citing the risk of vessels being struck by what he described as Cambodia’s indiscriminate use of weapons. Captain Nara emphasized that the action does not constitute a closure of the Gulf of Thailand, a measure he said would only be considered in a full-scale war and would impact all nationalities.

“The declaration of a high-risk zone is neither a blockade nor a closure of the Gulf,” Captain Nara said. “This operation concerns a bilateral conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, and our actions must not impact third countries.” He reiterated that the term “blockade” should be avoided and confirmed the restrictions are limited to Thai vessels, stating, “We will take all necessary steps to cut off these supplies.”

Rocket Barrage from Cambodia Kills Thai Civilian, Draws Official Condemnation

When questioned about foreign vessels potentially carrying contraband, Captain Nara stated Thailand could not take action affecting third countries, as doing so risked expanding the conflict beyond the two nations.

Army Deputy Spokesperson Colonel Richa Suksuvanon, speaking at the same press briefing, stated that intelligence had confirmed the importation of fuel and military supplies into Cambodia, necessitating Thailand’s control measures. He declined to disclose specific routes being monitored.

Air Force Spokesperson Air Vice Marshal Chakrit Thammavichai added that the Air Force is coordinating with the army and navy to strike logistical routes, including bridges, to degrade the enemy’s ability to resupply frontline forces. These operations, he said, aim to shorten the conflict and minimize impact on civilians.

Cambodia Continues Border Assaults, Prompting Expanded Thai Curfews and Retaliation

Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson for the Defense Ministry, noted that if evidence emerges of military supplies being transported through third countries, the matter would require inter-ministerial coordination.

-Thailand News (TN)

Similar Posts

  • | | |

    PM Shehbaz accuses India of backing terrorism, urg…

    ByJustpaste.in

    ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday accused India of playing a direct role in terrorism inside Pakistan and urged Afghanistan’s interim government to prevent militant groups from using its territory to launch attacks across the border. Addressing participants at the Balochistan National Workshop, the prime minister said Pakistan had successfully eliminated terrorism by 2018, but claimed that violence later resurfaced as part of what he described as a “well-organized conspiracy.” “India’s role in terrorism inside Pakistan is evident,” Shehbaz said, adding that the country had paid an enormous price in the fight against militancy, with more than 90,000 Pakistanis losing their lives over the years. Referring to the recent killing of a session judge in Mastung, the prime minister described the incident as another reminder of the continuing terrorist threat facing the country. He stressed that defeating terrorism requires a united national response involving state institutions and the public. Shehbaz also called on Afghanistan’s interim authorities to ensure that Afghan soil is not used by militant groups to carry out attacks against Pakistan. While emphasizing the importance of good relations between the two neighboring countries, he expressed regret that the Afghan administration had failed to stop terrorist elements operating from its territory. The prime minister said Pakistan’s diplomatic efforts for regional peace had received international recognition, adding that the country’s recent achievements had unsettled its adversaries. He praised Field Marshal Syed Asim Munir and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar for their diplomatic initiatives aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s regional and international engagement. Turning to development, Shehbaz highlighted the strategic importance of Balochistan, describing it as Pakistan’s largest province by area and the smallest by population. He said the people of Balochistan had always played a vital role in strengthening the federation and assured them that their sacrifices would never be forgotten. He also announced that construction work on the dual carriageway linking Karachi and Chaman was progressing, calling it a major infrastructure project expected to improve connectivity and economic activity in the province. Discussing the National Finance Commission (NFC) Award, the prime minister said Punjab had made significant contributions for Balochistan while the other provinces had also extended full support. He pledged to correct past shortcomings and ensure every province receives its constitutional share of national resources. Responding to questions from workshop participants, Shehbaz said Pakistan’s future prosperity depends on the collective efforts of all four provinces, expressing confidence that the country is ready to embark on a new phase of national development while continuing its fight against terrorism.

  • Government Tightening Controls on Thai Nominees to Curb Foreign Proxy Businesses

    ByJustpaste.in

    BANGKOK – The Thai government is introducing new measures to tighten controls on nominee arrangements, aiming to prevent foreigners from using Thai nationals as proxies to operate businesses, with the stricter rules set to take effect on April 1, the Bangkok Post reported. More Than 230 Arrested in Phuket Nominee Crackdown Deputy government spokeswoman Lalida […]

  • | |

    Azma Bukhari slams PPP over Kashmir election defea…

    ByJustpaste.in

    Punjab Information Minister Azma Bukhari has criticised Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari, saying voters in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) had backed development and modernisation and that political parties should respect the public mandate. Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Bukhari said the people of the Mirpur Division had made their choice through the ballot and supported the Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N). She urged rival parties to accept the election results with an open heart, saying respect for the people’s decision was an essential part of democratic politics. Bukhari claimed that the election outcome had increased frustration within an unnamed political party. Referring to Bilawal’s recent remarks, she accused him of trying to mock the PML-N leadership while avoiding a discussion of his party’s performance in Sindh. She challenged the PPP chairman to present the achievements of his party’s 18-year rule in Sindh, particularly in Karachi. She questioned why the city still lacked an effective public transport system and why municipal authorities struggled to manage waste collection. Comparing the performance of the Punjab and Sindh governments, Bukhari highlighted several initiatives launched under Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz, including public transport projects, the provision of laptops and scholarships to students, air ambulance services, improved drainage equipment and development schemes across the province. She also pointed to projects in southern Punjab, including public transport initiatives and the Recep Tayyip Erdogan Hospital, arguing that the region had received greater attention under the PML-N government. Bukhari further criticised the PPP’s record on education, saying students in Sindh continued to raise concerns over access to educational opportunities, while the Punjab government had expanded scholarship and laptop programmes for young people. She also defended the Punjab government’s response to heavy rainfall, saying authorities had equipped the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) with modern machinery to deal with urban flooding and drainage challenges. Bukhari invited Bilawal to visit Punjab and see its development projects firsthand, saying he should compare the performance of the two provinces before criticising Punjab’s infrastructure. Turning to the AJK election results, she said the people had clearly expressed their preference through their votes and urged all political parties to accept the outcome rather than question the public’s choice.

  • |

    ‘Butcher of Bosnia’ Ratko Mladic dies at 84 in…

    ByJustpaste.in

    THE HAGUE: Ratko Mladic, the former Bosnian Serb military commander convicted of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity over some of the worst atrocities of the Bosnian war, has died at the age of 84 while serving a life sentence in The Hague. Mladic died in a United Nations detention facility in the Netherlands after suffering several strokes and a prolonged deterioration in his health, Serbian state broadcaster RTS reported. A UN official also confirmed his death. His death was reported on Thursday, August 27, and comes more than three decades after he became one of the most notorious figures of the 1992-95 Bosnian War. Known internationally as the “Butcher of Bosnia,” Mladic commanded Bosnian Serb forces during the conflict that followed the breakup of Yugoslavia. His name became inseparable from the 1995 Srebrenica massacre, when more than 8,000 Bosniak Muslim men and boys were killed after the town had been designated a UN-protected safe area. The killings at Srebrenica are regarded as the worst atrocity in Europe since the Second World War. International judges later concluded that Mladic played a central role in the operation, including the forcible removal of civilians and the execution of thousands of men and boys. The massacre was followed by attempts to conceal evidence, with victims buried in mass graves and, in some cases, their remains later moved to secondary locations. Mladic was indicted by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia in 1995 but remained at large for another 16 years. He was finally arrested in Serbia in May 2011 and transferred to The Hague. In 2017, the tribunal convicted him of genocide, crimes against humanity and war crimes and sentenced him to life imprisonment. His appeal was rejected in 2021, leaving the life sentence intact. Throughout his trial and appeal, Mladic denied responsibility for the crimes and repeatedly attacked the tribunal’s legitimacy. He remained an admired figure among some Serbian nationalists, even as survivors and victims’ families continued to regard him as a symbol of the violence inflicted on Bosnia’s Muslim population. In his final years, Mladic’s family and lawyers repeatedly sought permission for him to receive treatment in Serbia or be released on humanitarian grounds because of his worsening health. Those requests were rejected. RTS reported that a recent request to allow him to spend his final days at home was also turned down. His death closes the life of one of the most infamous commanders of the Balkan wars, but the wounds left by Srebrenica and the wider Bosnian conflict remain deeply embedded in the region’s history.

  • Songkran Road Toll at 71, With 317 Injured After Two Days

    ByJustpaste.in

    BANGKOK — Seventy-one people have been killed and 317 others injured in traffic accidents during the first two days of the Songkran festival holiday period, according to figures released by the Ministry of Public Health on Sunday. Twenty Road Fatalities on First ‘Dangerous Day’ of Songkran Holidays The victims were involved in 344 traffic accidents […]

  • | | |

    PM Shehbaz, Field Marshal Munir begin Saudi visit

    ByJustpaste.in

    Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Chief of Defence Forces and Chief of Army Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir will pay an official visit to Saudi Arabia from August 6 to 8 to hold high-level talks aimed at strengthening bilateral ties and discussing key regional developments. According to the Foreign Office, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar will also join the delegation after completing his visit to Jordan. During the visit, Prime Minister Shehbaz is scheduled to meet Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. The discussions will focus on expanding cooperation between the two countries, enhancing strategic relations and reviewing regional and international issues of mutual interest. The Foreign Office said the visit reflects the deep-rooted relationship between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, built on decades of close cooperation, mutual trust and strong brotherly ties. Officials said the high-level engagements are expected to further strengthen political, economic and strategic cooperation between the two countries. Both sides are also likely to discuss ways to improve coordination on regional security and international affairs. The visit comes at a time of heightened tensions in the Gulf region, giving the meetings added diplomatic significance. However, Pakistani officials said the agenda extends beyond the current regional situation and is aimed at reinforcing the long-term strategic partnership between Islamabad and Riyadh. The Foreign Office added that the visit will help deepen bilateral relations, expand cooperation in areas of shared interest and enhance collaboration at multilateral forums. Prime Minister Shehbaz last visited Saudi Arabia in April, where he held meetings with the kingdom’s top leadership to discuss bilateral cooperation and regional developments.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *