Thailand and Cambodia to hold ceasefire talks in Malaysia
The breakthrough comes after U.S. President Donald Trump personally called the leaders of both countries on Saturday, urging them to begin immediate negotiations to halt the fighting.
Thailand confirmed on Sunday that a delegation led by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai would attend the talks in Kuala Lumpur, with Malaysia confirming that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet would also be present.
Trump, who is currently on a private visit to his golf resort in Scotland, wrote on Truth Social that both nations 'have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!' Both Bangkok and Phnom Penh thanked Trump for his intervention, although clashes reportedly continued overnight into Sunday.
The border fighting erupted on July 24 and has escalated into artillery exchanges and air strikes across the disputed area between Cambodia's Preah Vihear province and Thailand's northeastern Ubon Ratchathani province.
Cambodia, whose military is significantly weaker than Thailand's, has repeatedly called for an unconditional ceasefire and accused Thailand of launching heavy bombardments and drone operations.
'I made it clear to [Trump] that Cambodia agreed with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire,' Hun Manet said, calling Trump's mediation a step that 'will truly help protect the lives of many soldiers and civilians.'
Thailand has stated its willingness to consider a ceasefire but insists that dialogue must come first.
'Thailand agrees in principle to have a ceasefire in place,' its Foreign Ministry said. 'However, Thailand would like to see sincere intention from the Cambodian side.'
The fighting has displaced thousands of residents on both sides of the border, with no new casualties reported on Sunday but with the death toll still standing at 33, including six Thai and five Cambodian soldiers.
The tension has also cast a shadow over regional trade. Trump noted that no negotiations on U.S. trade agreements with either country would proceed until the fighting stops.
U.S. tariffs of 36% on goods imported from both Thailand and Cambodia are scheduled to take effect on August 1 unless an agreement is reached before then.
It remains unclear how Trump became actively involved, especially after Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa recently dismissed the need for outside mediation.
However, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim had previously offered to facilitate peace talks, which now appear to be moving forward under Kuala Lumpur's diplomatic oversight.
The roots of the conflict stretch back over a century, to disputes stemming from colonial-era border demarcations made following the French occupation of Cambodia. Tensions reignited this week after each side accused the other of violating prior military agreements.
Thailand claimed Cambodian forces deployed drones to monitor Thai troops, while Cambodia accused Thailand of advancing on a contested Khmer-Hindu temple site. — Agencies
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