Representatives of the Thai and Cambodian security services began talks on Monday following the largest clashes in years.
The meeting is taking place within the framework of the General Border Committee, one of the key bilateral mechanisms for resolving border disputes. At Bangkok’s request, the meeting was moved to the Malaysian capital due to the “delicate nature of the situation.” The Malaysian Ministry of Defence confirmed the start of talks.
The parties stressed that the situation on the border remains calm and that both countries are ready to comply with the terms of the ceasefire brokered by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. As part of his chairmanship of ASEAN, he also exerted diplomatic pressure on the US, seeking to use trade tariffs as leverage over Washington.
Acting Thai Prime Minister Phipat Ratchakitprakarn and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen agreed to extend the committee meeting from one to four days. According to the Thai government, the defence ministers of both countries, as well as observers from Malaysia, the US and China, will participate in the final day of talks on August 7.
According to Thai Acting Defence Minister Nattapon Nakpanich, the upcoming meeting is of exceptional importance and will give the parties an opportunity to discuss ways to de-escalate tensions and prospects for establishing a regional mechanism for monitoring the disputed border under the auspices of ASEAN.
The conflict between the two countries escalated in the early morning of July 24, when clashes broke out in the disputed territory in Trat. According to Thailand, 19 people were killed in the clashes, including six soldiers. More than 60 people were injured. Cambodia reported 13 deaths.
