United States President Donald Trump said that he’ll “have to make” a phone call “tomorrow” to put a stop to the flare-up in the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand.
“Who else could say, I’m gonna make a phone call and stop a war of two very powerful countries? Thailand and Cambodia, they’re going at it again. But I’ll do it,” Trump said while listing all the wars he said he claims he prevented.Speaking at a rally in Pennsylvania, the US president reiterated his global peacemaking skills, proclaiming that “in ten months I ended eight wars”, before listing hostilities between Kosovo and Serbia, Pakistan and India, and Israel and Iran.
Acknowledging that clashes have again erupted in the disputed border region in south-east Asia, Trump suggested he would again step in to calm tensions.
“I hate to say this one, named Cambodia-Thailand, and it started up today and tomorrow I’ll have to make a phone call,” he told the crowd.
“Who else could say, ‘I’m going to make a phone call and stop a war of two very powerful countries, Thailand and Cambodia.’ They’re going at it again.”
A total of 1,168 schools have now been closed in border provinces affected by the fighting between Thai and Cambodian forces, with 102 being used as evacuation shelters, Education Minister Narumon Pinyosinwat said on Wednesday.
The fighting that began on Sunday continued to intensify and was expected to expand into wider areas along the border, the minister said.
More schools had therefore been ordered temporarily closed for the safety of students, teachers and other staff, Ms Narumon said, bringing the total to 1,168, Of these, 102 in less risky areas had been turned into shelters for evacuees.
“I have instructed all relevant departments of the ministry to closely monitor the situation and the impact of the border conflict,” Ms Narumon said. “Emergency plans must be ready in all areas.”
The Vocational Education Commission was ordered to send volunteer students to assist in installing and developing electrical and cooking systems at an evacuation site in Buri Ram, and to further assist evacuees.
