Vice PM Phumtham claims the controversy over Vietnamese patriotic music has been exaggerated while relationships are still positive.
Discussed: 20 Feb 2025 at 18: 02
Local media reports that Cambodia’s excellent minister apologized after a group of Cambodians sparked stress by singing a nationalist song at a Thai church close to the border have been refuted by Thailand’s deputy prime minister.
Phumtham Wechayachai claimed that the media misrepresented his declaration regarding Thai Prime Minister Hun Manet’s response to the incident at the Ta Muen Thom temple in Surin’s northeast province.
” Some studies incorrectly stated that I claimed Hun Manet called me to apologize. This has caused problems on Cambodia’s aspect as he didn’t accomplish that. The information may be based on facts”, Mr Phumtham said on Thursday.
He explained that Cambodia’s defence secretary, who was with Hun Manet at the time, had contacted him and that he spoke with the Thai secretary about the Feb 13 event.
Individuals in Thailand agreed with Mr. Phumtham that the Vietnamese women’s actions at the church in Surin were incorrect. After the women sang the song, some Thai military officially confronted them.
Thailand’s Second Army Region officially protested, but Mr. Phumtham downplayed issues about any additional fallout, stating that the incident was small.
He assured defense personnel in both Thailand and Cambodia of a smooth communication and resolution of conflicts.
” Gen Hun Manet did not apologize to Thailand, nor was the matter as important as some reports suggested,” I want to understand. We simply want to keep soft relationships”, Mr Phumtham said. Thailand and Cambodia continue to have fruitful dialogues at all levels.