Thailand-Kambodia conflict: Malaysia to host peace talks on Monday; Meeting held after Trump’s intervention
The Thai and Cambodian leaders will meet in Malaysia on Monday, which will discuss to end the ongoing enmity, a spokesperson of the Thailand’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) on Sunday announced. The announcement follows the mediation efforts by US President Donald Trump, aimed at increasing the border dispute. The current wave of the fight – now in its fourth day – was provoked after a brief clash in May, and has so far claimed at least 34 lives and displaced more than 168,000 people.,The news agency AP quoted Thai PMO spokesman Ziru Huangasap as saying that acting Prime Minister Fummtha Vichachai would participate in the talks in response to the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim to discuss peace efforts in the region.The spokesperson said that Hun Manet, the Cambodian counterpart of Fumham, would also participate in the talks, although it was not confirmed immediately by the Cambodian side.Trump posted on his true social platform on Saturday that he spoke to leaders of both Thailand and Cambodia, and claimed that he suggested that he would not either move forward with business agreements with the country if the enmity continued. He later said that both sides agreed to meet to interact on the ceasefire.After his conversation with the US President, the Cambodian Premier said that his country had agreed to carry on “immediate and unconditional ceasefire”. He said Trump told him that Thailand had also agreed to stop the attacks after Trump’s conversation with Thailand’s interim leader.Meanwhile, Thailand expressed cautious support. Fummham thanked Trump and said that Thailand agreed in principle to a ceasefire, but emphasized the need for “honest intentions” from Cambodia.Both sides blame the other for clashesThe battle erupted on Thursday after a land mine explosion with Seema, injuring five Thai soldiers. Both countries recalled their ambassadors and Thailand closed its border crossing with Cambodia.Despite diplomatic efforts, the fight continued on Sunday with parts of the battle boundary, both sides refused the breeze, and traded trade on firing and contingent movements.Thailand also reported the death of another soldier, causing its total number to 21, mostly citizens. Cambodia has announced 13 deaths on its behalf. More than 131,000 people in Thailand have occupied safe places and over 37,000 people have fled from three Cambodian provinces. Many border villages are mostly deserted, many schools and hospitals are closed.
