Cambodia and Thailand Begin Talks in Malaysia Amid Fragile Ceasefire
Preliminary discussions between Thai and Cambodian defense officials commenced on Monday in Malaysia, with a ministerial-level meeting scheduled for Thursday to address the fragile truce.
BANGKOK: Preliminary talks between Thailand and Cambodia defense officials began on Monday in Malaysia ahead of a key ministerial level meeting on Thursday.
This development comes as a fragile truce continues to hold, one week after both sides agreed to a ceasefire following five days of border clashes.
The recent fighting, the worst between the Southeast Asian neighbors in over a decade, included exchanges of artillery fire and jet fighter sorties.
The skirmishes claimed at least 43 lives and displaced over 300,000 people on both sides of the border.
A meeting held last Monday in Malaysia, with assistance from the United States and China observing, resulted in the agreement to cease hostilities.
Now, defense ministers from both countries are set to meet as part of the General Border Committee, discussing how to maintain the ceasefire.
Observers from the United States, China, and Malaysia will also attend this Thursday's meeting.
Despite ongoing talks, mistrust between the two neighbors persists.
The Cambodia defense ministry has accused Thailand of violating the ceasefire agreement by using excavators and laying barbed wire in a contested border area.
However, Thailand claims that both sides are maintaining their positions without significant movements.
There are reports indicating that Cambodia has reinforced its troops in key areas to replace personnel lost during the conflicts, according to Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, a Thai military spokesperson.
Additionally, Cambodia has demanded the release of 18 captured soldiers, requesting their immediate release.
Thailand asserts that these soldiers are being treated well as 'prisoners of war' and will be released once there is a complete cessation of armed conflict.
This development comes as a fragile truce continues to hold, one week after both sides agreed to a ceasefire following five days of border clashes.
The recent fighting, the worst between the Southeast Asian neighbors in over a decade, included exchanges of artillery fire and jet fighter sorties.
The skirmishes claimed at least 43 lives and displaced over 300,000 people on both sides of the border.
A meeting held last Monday in Malaysia, with assistance from the United States and China observing, resulted in the agreement to cease hostilities.
Now, defense ministers from both countries are set to meet as part of the General Border Committee, discussing how to maintain the ceasefire.
Observers from the United States, China, and Malaysia will also attend this Thursday's meeting.
Despite ongoing talks, mistrust between the two neighbors persists.
The Cambodia defense ministry has accused Thailand of violating the ceasefire agreement by using excavators and laying barbed wire in a contested border area.
However, Thailand claims that both sides are maintaining their positions without significant movements.
There are reports indicating that Cambodia has reinforced its troops in key areas to replace personnel lost during the conflicts, according to Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, a Thai military spokesperson.
Additionally, Cambodia has demanded the release of 18 captured soldiers, requesting their immediate release.
Thailand asserts that these soldiers are being treated well as 'prisoners of war' and will be released once there is a complete cessation of armed conflict.
