Will Thailand-Cambodia Border Talks Lead to Lasting Peace?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Border negotiations between Thailand and Cambodia are ongoing.
- Clashes along the border have decreased in intensity.
- Over 800,000 residents are affected by the conflict.
- The civilian death toll in Cambodia has reached 31.
- Future meetings may pave the way for diplomatic resolutions.
Bangkok/Phnom Penh, Dec 25 (NationPress) The military of Thailand announced on Thursday that negotiations regarding the border with Cambodia have entered their second day, showing a notable decrease in overall clashes along the frontier.
As reported by Thai media, the Secretariat meeting of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) commenced around 9 am local time on the Thai side in Chanthaburi province.
Approximately 30 delegates from Cambodia participated, with Malaysian members of the ASEAN observer team also present, according to Xinhua news agency.
During a press briefing on Thursday, a spokesperson for the Thai military indicated that the frequency of border skirmishes has generally subsided, with exchanges of fire confined to localized areas.
In a separate report, Thailand's 2nd Army Area Command disclosed that two Thai soldiers were injured by a landmine while conducting demining operations near the Ta Kwai Temple.
Tragically, a Cambodian civilian lost their life during the ongoing conflict, increasing the civilian death toll in Cambodia to 31, as stated by a press release from the Cambodian Ministry of Defence.
The Secretariat meeting is scheduled to take place from Wednesday to Friday, and if initial discussions proceed positively, a meeting between the defense ministers of both nations will occur on Saturday, as confirmed by Thai Ministry of Defence spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri.
This latest wave of conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has persisted for three weeks. Along the extensive 800-km border, military skirmishes erupted almost daily, leading to a tug-of-war at multiple points and affecting seven border provinces in Thailand. More than 800,000 residents have experienced disruptions in their daily lives, with numerous soldiers and civilians confirmed deceased.
Currently, the conflict has escalated beyond mere military action to a multi-faceted rivalry involving information warfare and diplomatic maneuvering at the government level, with the ceasefire process hindered by various factors.