Thailand and Cambodia to hold talks to end deadly border dispute
The talks, announced by a spokesperson for the Thai prime minister's office on Sunday, come after pressure from President Trump to reach a ceasefire.
Jirayu Huangsap said Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will attend Monday's talks in response to an invitation from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim "to discuss peace efforts in the region."
The spokesperson also said Phumtham's Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet will also attend the talks, though this was not immediately confirmed by the Cambodian side. He added that Anwar was acting in his capacity as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, held on an annual rotating basis by its 10 members.
Mr. Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday that he spoke to the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia and suggested he would not move forward with trade agreements with either country if the hostilities continued. He later said both sides agreed to meet to negotiate a ceasefire.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said earlier Sunday his country agreed to pursue an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire." He said Mr. Trump told him that Thailand had also agreed to halt attacks following the U.S. president's conversation with Phumtham.
He said he tasked his deputy, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, to coordinate next steps with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and to engage directly with Thailand's foreign minister to implement the ceasefire.
Rubio spoke with the foreign ministers of Cambodia and Thailand on Sunday, urging them to immediately de-escalate tensions and telling them the U.S. is ready to help with talks, the State Department said.
"Secretary Rubio reiterated President Trump's desire for peace and the importance of an immediate ceasefire," State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said in a statement. "The United States is prepared to facilitate future discussions in order to ensure peace and stability between Thailand and Cambodia."
The fighting flared Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Both sides blamed each other for starting the clashes and recalled their ambassadors. Thailand also closed its border crossings with Cambodia.
Despite the U.S. diplomatic intervention, fighting continued Sunday along parts of the contested border, with the two neighbors again trading blame over renewed shelling and troop movements.
Col. Richa Suksowanont, a Thai army deputy spokesperson, said Cambodian forces had fired heavy artillery into Surin province, including at civilian homes, early Sunday. He said Cambodia also launched rocket attacks targeting the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple, claimed by both countries, and other areas in a bid to reclaim territory secured by Thai troops. Thai forces responded with long-range artillery, saying they were targeting Cambodian artillery and rocket launchers.
Thai spokesperson Col. Richa said Mr. Trump's efforts to mediate were a "separate matter." Battlefield operations would continue, he said, adding that a ceasefire could only happen if Cambodia formally initiates negotiations.
"Any cessation of hostilities cannot be reached while Cambodia is severely lacking in good faith and repeatedly violating the basic principles of human rights and humanitarian law," Thailand's Foreign Ministry said separately.
Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata accused Thai forces of escalating the violence with what he said was their bombardment of Cambodian territory early Sunday, followed by what he called a "large-scale incursion" involving tanks and ground troops in multiple areas.
"Such actions undermine all efforts toward peaceful resolution and expose Thailand's clear intent to escalate rather than de-escalate the conflict," she said.
Thailand on Sunday reported the death of a soldier, bringing the total number of fatalities to 21, mostly civilians. Cambodia said 13 people have been killed on its side. More than 131,000 people in Thailand have evacuated to safe locations and over 37,000 people fled from three Cambodian provinces. Many border villages are mostly deserted, with many schools and hospitals shut.
The 800-kilometer (500-mile) frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades, but past confrontations have been limited and brief. The latest tensions erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics.
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Hamilton Spectator
25 minutes ago
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Thailand and Cambodia agree to 'unconditional' ceasefire to end deadly border row, Malaysian PM says
PUTRAJAYA, Malaysia (AP) — Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an 'unconditional' ceasefire starting at midnight, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Monday, a significant breakthrough to resolve five days of deadly border clashes that have killed dozens and displaced tens of thousands of people. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai hailed the outcome of the meeting and shook hands along with Anwar at the conclusion of the brief press conference in Malaysia. The fighting began Thursday after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Both sides blamed each other for starting the clashes, that have killed at least 35 people and displaced more than 260,000 people on both sides. Hun Manet and Phumtham have agreed to an 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' with effect from midnight local time, Anwar said as he read out a joint statement. Anwar, who hosted the talks as annual chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations regional bloc, said both sides have reached a common understanding to take steps to return to normalcy following what he called frank discussions. 'This is a vital first step towards de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security,' Anwar said. As part of the ceasefire deal, military commanders from both sides will begin to hold talks Tuesday to defuse tensions while Cambodia will host a border committee meeting on Aug. 4. he said. The foreign and defense ministers of Malaysia, Cambodia and Thailand have also been instructed to 'develop a detailed mechanism' to implement and monitor the ceasefire to ensure sustained peace, he added. Hun Manet said he hoped that bilateral ties could return to normal soon so that some 300,000 villagers evacuated on both sides could return home. It is 'time to start rebuilding trust, confidence and cooperation going forward between Thailand and Cambodia,' he said. Phumtham said the outcome reflected 'Thailand's desire for a peaceful resolution.' The Malaysian meeting followed direct pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has warned that the United States may not proceed with trade deals with either country if hostilities continue. The joint statement said that the U.S. is a co-organizer of the talks, with participation from China. The Chinese and American ambassadors to Malaysia attended the meeting that lasted over two hours. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted news of the ceasefire on X and wrote: 'President Trump made this happen. Give him the Nobel Peace Prize!' The violence marks a rare instance of open military confrontation between ASEAN member states, a 10-nation regional bloc that has prided itself on non-aggression, peaceful dialogue and economic cooperation. Both countries recalled their ambassadors and Thailand shut all border crossings with Cambodia, with an exception for migrant Cambodian workers returning home. News of the ceasefire brought relief and hope to evacuees from both sides. Some women at a crowded evacuation shelter in Surin, Thailand, shouted for joy. 'I'm happy about that, and feeling a bit relieved,' said Usa Dasri, a vendor and farmer. 'We miss our home. There are many small things I'm worried about, livestock and rice fields. I don't know what might've happened to them. I want to go home, so I'm happy. I also think about our soldiers at the frontline. I want them to be safe and have a good sleep like us.' She also credited outside diplomacy for the breakthrough. 'Without them, our two countries would have had a hard time negotiating — both sides have quite a hard time talking and understanding each other,' she added. Cambodian evacuees echoed the sentiment. Chhuot Nhav, 42, who fled her home in Oddar Meanchey province, a frontline for the fighting, said she was happy but also wary. 'I am happy because I can go home and take care of my pig, dog, chickens and my kids can now go back to school,' said Chhuot Nhav, from under a series of green tarps that stretched out to the length of a school bus. But she said she will 'wait until the fighting really stops' before heading back. Another farmer Kong Sin, however said he would head back home Tuesday if the ceasefire took place as agreed. The 800-kilometer (500-mile) frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades, but past confrontations have been limited and brief. The latest tensions erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics . ________ Jintamas reported from Surin, Thailand, and Sopheng Cheang from Samrong, Cambodia. Associated Press writers Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul and Grant Peck in Bangkok contributed to this report. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Time Magazine
32 minutes ago
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Thailand and Cambodia Agree on Unconditional Cease-Fire
After almost a week of deadly clashes along the Thai-Cambodian border, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has announced that the two countries have agreed a cease-fire, set to come into effect at midnight local time, Eastern Time Monday. Talks between Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai took place in Malaysia on Monday, mediated by the host country with both the United States and China also involved in negotiations. 'President Donald Trump has been in contact with the leaders of both countries, urging the leaders to find a peaceful resolution to the conflict,' Ibrahim said reading from a joint statement on Monday. Trump said that he held talks with both Manet and Wechayachai over the weekend. 'They are also looking to get back to the 'Trading Table' with the United States, which we think is inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting stops,' he wrote on Truth Social before the cease-fire was announced. The cease-fire will be followed by a meeting of regional commanders on Tuesday to discuss the halt in clashes, Ibrahim added, who is the current chair of trading bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). On August 4, defense attaches will also meet for discussions led by Ibrahim. Cambodia and Thailand have been engaged in five days of fighting in which at least 35 people have been killed and more than 200 injured. Both countries have accused the other of igniting the recent clashes that are part of a decades-long border dispute. Tensions between the two began to rise in May, when Cambodian and Thai troops exchanged fire along the border, leading to the death of a Cambodian soldier. In June, skirmishes along the border flared up once again. In order to try and quell the escalation, former Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra rang Hun Manet's father, Hun Sen to soothe tensions. But Hun Sen leaked the phone call, in which Paetongtarn criticized one of her own generals, leading to protests and her suspension pending an ethics investigation. Hun Sen's apparent betrayal of the former Thai Prime Minister's trust is one of the factors that has only increased tensions along the border in recent months. Since then, Thailand has hit several targets in Cambodia with the use of an F-16 fighter jet, and artillery and rocket fire has killed dozens in Thailand in response since last Thursday.
Yahoo
an hour ago
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Thailand, Cambodia Reach Ceasefire in Deadly Border Clash After Trump Trade Threat, Anwar Push
(Bloomberg) -- Thailand and Cambodia agreed Monday to halt five days of fighting along their disputed border that's killed at least 36 people, after President Donald Trump's tariff threats accelerated a regional push for a diplomatic solution. The High Costs of Trump's 'Big Beautiful' New Car Loan Deduction Can This Bridge Ease the Troubled US-Canadian Relationship? Budapest's Most Historic Site Gets a Controversial Rebuild Trump Administration Sues NYC Over Sanctuary City Policy Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet reached the agreement during talks in Malaysia hosted by Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, acting in his capacity as the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Envoys from Washington and Beijing were also at the talks, but their roles weren't immediately clear. 'Both Cambodia and Thailand reached a common understanding,' Anwar said after the talks. 'This is a vital first step toward a de-escalation and the restoration of peace and security.' An 'immediate and unconditional' ceasefire will be effective from midnight into Tuesday local time, he added, and regional military commanders would meet at 7 a.m. The Thai baht erased losses of as much as 0.2% after the announcement, to trade flat at 32.39 to a dollar in thin holiday trading. In a joint statement issued after the talks, the three nations said their foreign ministers and defense ministers 'have been instructed to develop a detailed mechanism for the implementation, verification, and reporting of the ceasefire. This mechanism will serve as a foundation for sustained peace and accountability.' The two sides also agreed to move ahead with a meeting of their so-called General Border Committee on Aug. 4 in Cambodia. The talks were the first formal dialogue since fresh clashes erupted on July 24, which displaced more than 150,000 civilians on both sides of their 800-kilometer (500-mile) border. Tensions escalated rapidly over the weekend and into Monday as heavy artillery fire and aerial strikes were reported, and both sides accused each other of targeting civilian areas. Trump had said before the discussions that the Thai and Cambodian leaders had agreed to 'quickly work out a ceasefire.' After separate calls with Phumtham and Hun Manet on Saturday, Trump had threatened that Washington would not reach trade deals with either as long as the fighting continued. In their remarks after the meeting, both Phumtham and Hun Manet thanked Anwar and Trump, as well as China, for helping reach the ceasefire. Prior to the talks, Thailand had insisted that any ceasefire must include troop withdrawals, an end to lethal force and an agreement to resolve conflict through bilateral mechanisms. Cambodia, by contrast, maintained its support for an unconditional end to hostilities. The current conflict traces its roots to long-standing disputes stemming from colonial-era maps and treaties that defined the two countries' boundaries. Relations had remained relatively stable since a 2011 clash that left dozens dead, but renewed tensions have triggered fears of escalated fighting. Trump threatened to block trade deals with both countries unless the violence stopped. 'We're not going to make a trade deal unless you settle the war,' Trump said Sunday, adding that both leaders expressed willingness to negotiate after speaking with him directly. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier that US officials are on the ground in Malaysia 'to assist these peace efforts.' A representative of China, the top trading partner for both Southeast Asian nations and a major backer of Phnom Penh, also participated in the talks Monday. China's embassy in Bangkok said in a statement that Beijing 'will adhere to the neutral and impartial position, continue to communicate closely with Cambodia and Thailand, and actively promote negotiations. and play a constructive role in pushing for a ceasefire and an end to hostilities.' The joint statement after the talks said the meeting had been 'co-organised by the United States of America with the active participation of the People's Republic of China' With Trump's Aug. 1 tariff deadline looming, trade-reliant Thailand wants to avoid antagonizing the US president, especially as its officials have been holding talks to lower the steep 36% planned levy on its exports. Trump has claimed credit for helping halt border clashes earlier this year between India and Pakistan by leveraging trade measures. It's an assertion India has consistently denied but Pakistan has embraced. Thailand's trade talks with the US have included offering expanded access for American goods to narrow a $46 billion trade surplus. Neighboring Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam have already secured trade deals with the US in recent weeks. 'President Trump's pressure tactic seems to be working as both the Thai and Cambodian governments are struggling economically,' said Tita Sanglee, associate fellow at the ISEAS-Yusof Ishak Institute in Singapore. 'Failure to lower Thailand's tariff rate will be politically costly.' But yielding to a ceasefire agreement when the Cambodian threat to take the territorial disputes to the International Court of Justice is still alive, won't likely be accepted by the Thai public or the military, she said. Cambodia has said it wants the court to help settle the disputed status of four border areas, after a skirmish broke out in May. Thailand doesn't recognize the court's jurisdiction. (Updates with market reaction in fifth paragraph.) 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