Putrajaya (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – On Monday, the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand met in Malaysia in an attempt to negotiate a ceasefire amid their ongoing border conflict. This meeting occurs during international efforts to stop the fighting, now in its fifth day.
The Southeast Asian nations, engaged in their deadliest conflict in over a decade, accuse each other of initiating the fighting last week. The conflict has escalated with heavy artillery bombardments and Thai air strikes along their 817-kilometre land border.
The discussions follow US President Donald Trump’s request for both countries to agree on a ceasefire before proceeding with their individual trade negotiations with Washington.
What role is Malaysia playing in the negotiations?
According to a Reuters report, Anwar Ibrahim, Prime Minister of Malaysia and head of the ASEAN regional grouping, hosted a meeting with the ambassadors to Malaysia from the U.S. and China.
“Cambodia Prime Minister Hun Manet called an “immediate ceasefire” with a mere second to go until the meeting started while Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said that Cambodia might need to display “genuine intent” to de-esclate.”
How serious is the current escalation at the border?
The relationship between Thailand and Cambodia has soured considerably since the shooting death of a Cambodian soldier in a brief skirmish in late May. Heavy fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in the last five days has left dozens dead, many more wounded, and tens of thousands displaced. Since fighting erupted on July 24, at least 33 people have died, and thousands have fled their homes.
Where does the historical animosity stem from?
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia have been brewing for some time, which found expression on Thursday through a deadly exchange at the border.
Both sides are blaming the other for the aggravation. Thailand said Cambodia fired the rockets, while Thailand bombed a Cambodian military target. Historians said the ongoing conflict began more than 100 years ago, with the mess of borders delineated shortly after the French took over Cambodia.
The hostilities officially began in 2008 when Cambodia attempted to register an 11th-century temple in a disputed area for UNESCO World Heritage status, which sparked an immediate diplomatic faux pas from Thailand. Since then, skirmishes discerning underlying activity have occurred periodically, causing casualties on both sides, with soldiers and civilians killed.
