BANGKOK, Dec 16 — Thailand’s military announced yesterday the designation of the Gulf of Thailand as a high-risk area. According to Thai media, the move is aimed at cutting off sea routes used to transport military supplies to Cambodia, Xinhua reported.
In a social media post yesterday, the Royal Thai Armed Forces Headquarters clarified that the move is a safety precaution. It stressed that the measure does not constitute a full closure of the gulf and will not affect vessels from third countries.
At a press conference on the Thailand-Cambodia border situation held yesterday, Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura said the ministry has sent a letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights to lodge a complaint against Cambodia's indiscriminate attacks on Thailand, including strikes targeting civilian areas.
According to a briefing by a Ministry of Defence spokesperson on Sunday, the latest round of clashes between Thailand and Cambodia has left 16 Thai soldiers dead and more than 320 others wounded. As of yesterday afternoon, 13 civilians have been killed and over 260,000 people displaced.
