Washington: US President Donald Trump announced that the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to engage in immediate ceasefire talks following three days of intense border clashes. Trump, who is currently visiting Scotland, emphasized his commitment to brokering peace between the two nations.
According to France24.com, the acting Prime Minister of Thailand, Phumtham Wechayachai, expressed gratitude towards Trump, stating that Thailand agrees in principle to a ceasefire but expects sincerity from Cambodia. Phumtham’s comments came in response to Trump’s social media posts, where he mentioned his discussions with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Phumtham, warning of the lack of trade deals if hostilities continued.
The border conflict, which has persisted for several days, saw new flashpoints over the weekend, with both countries claiming self-defense and urging the other to cease fighting. The clashes have resulted in casualties on both sides, with Thailand reporting seven soldiers and 13 civilians killed, while Cambodia reported five soldiers and eight civilians dead.
Trump’s intervention came after the US called for restraint from both nations. He relayed messages between the leaders, stating their agreement to meet promptly for ceasefire discussions. Trump has been keen on finalizing trade agreements with both countries once peace is established, leveraging the situation to push forward his trade agenda.
However, details about the ceasefire negotiations remain scarce, with no immediate response from the White House regarding the specifics of the talks. Similarly, the Thai and Cambodian embassies in Washington have not provided further information.
In a related development, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, chair of the ASEAN regional bloc, continues to advocate for a ceasefire. Cambodia supports Anwar’s proposal, with Thailand agreeing in principle. Anwar has instructed his foreign minister to engage with the respective ministries to halt the fighting.
During a recent UN Security Council meeting, Thailand’s ambassador highlighted injuries from newly planted land mines and accused Cambodia of initiating attacks, which Cambodia has denied. Cambodia’s defense ministry accused Thailand of unlawful attacks and troop mobilization, urging international condemnation.
The long-standing territorial dispute centers around undemarcated points along the 817-km border, with ancient Hindu temples being central to the conflict. The situation escalated in 2008 when Cambodia attempted to list the Preah Vihear temple as a UNESCO World Heritage site, leading to prolonged tensions.
Cambodia has sought resolution through the International Court of Justice, but Thailand prefers bilateral discussions, rejecting the court’s jurisdiction. As tensions continue, the international community watches closely, hoping for a peaceful resolution.