Thailand has raised apprehensions with China regarding the recent delivery of tanks to Cambodia, expressing concerns that this action could jeopardize the fragile ceasefire between the two neighboring nations. The concerns were communicated by Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, as reported by Thailand’s foreign ministry. The delivery’s timing and presentation are seen as potential complications in the still-tense relations between Thailand and Cambodia, despite several ceasefire agreements.
According to Thai officials, Cambodia received 39 Chinese-made T-59D battle tanks under a standing military cooperation agreement. While there is no evidence that these tanks have been positioned near the border, their arrival has nonetheless heightened sensitivities. The relationship between Thailand and Cambodia has been strained since violent border clashes last year, with longstanding disputes over land and maritime boundaries, often traced back to colonial-era treaties, continuing to impede negotiations.
China has consistently maintained that its defense collaborations with both Thailand and Cambodia are routine and not directed against any third country. Earlier this year, China also delivered a Type 056 guided-missile corvette to Cambodia. However, the recent tank shipment has prompted Thailand to underline the importance of resolving the dispute through direct dialogue with Cambodia.
Thai officials have expressed appreciation for China’s neutral position and its efforts to mitigate regional tensions. They emphasized that the core issues must ultimately be addressed through bilateral discussions between Thailand and Cambodia. Concurrently, Thailand and China agreed to establish a new dialogue mechanism that will involve their foreign and defense ministers. The first round of these talks is expected to concentrate on tackling cross-border scam operations.