Thaksin denies family feud started war, says army must complete mission

»Former prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra denies a family feud is behind the Thai-Cambodian conflict, saying the military must be given a free hand to manage the situation amid escalating border attacks.

- POST REPORTERS

Speaking during a visit to Ubon Ratchathani to support civilians displaced by the clashes, Thaksin insisted the recent deadly skirmishes between Thai and Cambodian forces were not caused by a personal dispute between political families, as widely speculated.

He was referring to the apparent rift between his family and that of Cambodian Senate President Hun Sen, which flared following a leaked audio clip in which Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra was heard pleading with Hun Sen, saying she would do anything in return for a cessation of the conflict.

The families were previously known to share close relations until the fallout from the audio leak.

Thaksin rejected claims of political interference and said military operations should proceed professionally and independently.

“I deny this is a conflict between two families. There was never any personal dispute,’ he said.

“This incident stems from Cambodia’s dissatisfaction with Thailand. We did nothing to provoke this.”