Thailand and Cambodia Begin Talks to End Deadly Border Clashes After Venue Dispute
Thai and Cambodian defence delegations have commenced four days of border talks at a checkpoint in Chanthaburi province aimed at ending recent deadly clashes. The discussions, expected to continue until Saturday, seek to achieve a cessation of hostilities, restore stability, and swiftly return to normalcy along the shared border.
The ongoing dispute traces back to colonial-era demarcations spanning approximately 500 miles (800 km) and involves a small number of temple ruins located on the frontier. Since December 7, renewed fighting has resulted in the deaths of over 40 people and displaced around one million individuals.
Cambodia had initially demanded a shift to a neutral venue for the talks; however, Phnom Penh later released images showing the negotiations taking place in a plain meeting room. Thailand has pressed for an immediate truce and demining cooperation at the border, while Cambodia's interior ministry expressed optimism about Thai sincerity in implementing a ceasefire.
Previous clashes in July lasted five days and claimed dozens of lives, with a ceasefire brokered by the US, China, and Malaysia ultimately collapsing. Bangkok remains hopeful of positive outcomes from the current talks but continues to stress the importance of Cambodia's sincerity in both words and actions.
