Thailand and Cambodia launch peace talks
Thailand and Cambodia have launched negotiations after five days of border clashes, aiming to reach a ceasefire, according to The National on July 28th.
The violence has resulted in over 35 deaths and forced more than 200,000 people to flee the area. This is the latest in a series of clashes dating back to 2008 and 2011, originating from a vague border drawn in 1907 by French colonial authorities in Cambodia.
In recent days, reports indicate that US President Donald Trump intervened, stating that both parties have pledged to “quickly work out” a truce. At the same time, both nations are engaged in trade talks with the US, aiming to alleviate tariffs that have posed economic challenges.
The acting Prime Minister of Thailand, Phumtham Wechayachai, and Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Manet, initiated discussions in Putrajaya, the administrative capital.
The two leaders met at the house of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is the current chair of the ASEAN bloc, of which Cambodia and Thailand are both members.
However, Thailand’s acting Prime Minister expressed scepticism about the negotiations in Malaysia, questioning Cambodia’s sincerity.
Wechayachai explained to reporters that “We are not confident in Cambodia; their actions so far have reflected insincerity in solving the problem.” He went on to accuse Cambodia of violating international law.
Meanwhile, Thailand’s military alleges that Cambodia deployed snipers at a contested temple and fired rockets into Thai territory, while increasing troop deployments along the border. Fighting has been reported in seven areas across a rural region surrounded by forest and farmland where rice and rubber are grown.
The Thai military explained, “The situation remains highly tense, and it is anticipated that Cambodia may be preparing for a major military operation prior to entering negotiations.”
Cambodia continues to deny Thai accusations suggesting it has fired at civilian targets and instead asserts it is Thailand putting innocent lives at risk, leading it to call on the international community to condemn Thailand’s aggression.
Since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed, tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have escalated. Both countries have looked to strengthen their border troops amid a deepening diplomatic crisis that nearly toppled Thailand’s fragile coalition government.
Shortly after the conflict erupted last week, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for ceasefire talks. Meanwhile, China and the United States have also offered to help facilitate negotiations.
The National, Maghrebi.org
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