…..Talks Begin Amid Ongoing Violence
Thailand and Cambodia are preparing to hold peace talks in Kuala Lumpur later today in a bid to end a deadly border dispute that has now entered its fifth consecutive day
At least 33 people have lost their lives and thousands have been forced from their homes since the violence erupted on 24 July
The decision to meet comes after US President Donald Trump urged both Southeast Asian nations to agree to a ceasefire as a pre-condition for their respective trade discussions with Washington
Cambodia has pushed strongly for an immediate ceasefire citing its weaker military capacity compared to Thailand but Thailand insists that dialogue must precede any ceasefire
The dispute itself stretches back more than a century to the period following the French occupation of Cambodia when border lines were first drawn and have since remained contentious
Civilians Flee as Tensions Deepen
Footage from evacuation centres on the Thai side shows families—many of them women and children—seeking shelter from the ongoing gunfire and artillery exchanges
Clashes between the two sides have become increasingly intense especially near the Surin province with both nations accusing the other of firing first
US and China Join Talks as International Pressure Mounts
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that America wants the conflict to end as soon as possible and confirmed that US officials are already in Malaysia to support the talks
“I have directed my team to ensure our presence and support in these important negotiations”
—Rubio
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim who currently chairs ASEAN had offered to mediate after fighting escalated late last week—an offer that was initially rejected by Thailand but later accepted following pressure from the United States
Both China and the United States will be represented at the negotiations adding to the weight of the talks and raising hopes of a breakthrough
Social Media Turns into a New Battleground
Beyond the gunfire another war is unfolding online as Thai and Cambodian citizens engage in fierce verbal battles on social media platforms
Nationalists from both countries are using platforms like TikTok and Facebook to trade insults and defend their country’s stance on the border dispute
One Cambodian user commented “Justice for Cambodia Thai troops opened fire on Cambodian forces first”
A Thai user responded “Who’s gonna trust what the largest scammer country said referring to the proliferation of scam centres in Cambodia that have been widely condemned in recent months”
Cambodian Prime Minister Calls for Ceasefire
Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet has made it clear that the goal of today’s peace talks is to achieve an immediate ceasefire
He publicly thanked Malaysia’s Prime Minister for initiating and coordinating the discussions and confirmed that both US and Chinese officials will be present
I thank Prime Minister Anwar for his commitment to peace in our region Manet Says.
Thailand Demands Proof of Good Faith
Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai however took a more guarded tone ahead of the talks accusing Cambodia of not acting in good faith
We do not believe Cambodia is acting in good faith based on their actions in addressing the issue They need to demonstrate genuine intent and we will assess that during the meeting
Phumtham
Thailand has consistently maintained that any ceasefire must follow credible talks not precede them
Details of the Peace Talks
The high-level talks are expected to begin in Kuala Lumpur at 15:00 local time with Malaysia’s Anwar Ibrahim presiding
Thailand’s delegation will be led by Phumtham Wechayachai while Cambodia will be represented by Prime Minister Hun Manet
Both delegations will be joined by observers from the United States and China as international concern grows over the consequen