Thailand and Cambodia to Engage in Mediation Talks Amid Escalating Border Conflict

On Monday, leaders from Thailand and Cambodia will convene in Malaysia for mediation talks regarding a deadly border conflict that has intensified in recent weeks. The Thai government confirmed that these discussions will occur despite ongoing accusations from both nations regarding new artillery strikes in contested regions.

Scheduled to commence at 3 p.m. local time (0700 GMT), the negotiations will be led by Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The Thai government announced on Sunday evening that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet is also expected to participate in the talks, facilitated by Malaysia, which holds the chairmanship of the ASEAN regional cooperation forum.

Tensions between the two Southeast Asian neighbors have escalated significantly since the late May killing of a Cambodian soldier during a border skirmish. In response, both countries have reinforced their military presence along the border, leading to a diplomatic crisis that nearly destabilized Thailand’s coalition government.

Hostilities resumed last Thursday and quickly escalated into the most severe fighting in over a decade, resulting in a rising death toll that has now surpassed 30. This includes 13 civilian deaths in Thailand and eight in Cambodia, with authorities reporting that more than 200,000 residents have been evacuated from border areas.

These upcoming talks follow a ceasefire proposal made by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim last week.

Each side has blamed the other for igniting the recent hostilities. The Cambodian Defence Ministry accused Thailand of conducting shelling and ground assaults at multiple points along the border, including heavy artillery fire targeting historic temple complexes. “For me, I think it is great if Thailand agreed to stop fighting so both countries can live with peace,” said Sreung Nita, a student from Phnom Penh.

Conversely, the Thai army claimed that Cambodian forces fired shots into various areas, including residential zones, and were mobilizing long-range rocket launchers. “The situation remains tense, and Cambodian troops may be preparing intensified military operations to inflict maximum damage in the final stages before negotiations,” the Thai army stated in an update.

In Sisaket province, residents reported hearing shelling throughout Sunday, with uncertainty surrounding which side was responsible. A government health clinic approximately 10 km (6 miles) from the border was damaged by artillery fire, with local media indicating it was struck two days after the area was evacuated.

Only a few residents remain in their homes, taking shelter near makeshift bunkers for protection. “It’s great that America is insisting on the ceasefire because it would bring peace,” remarked Sisaket resident Thavorn Toosawan.

The longstanding border disputes between Thailand and Cambodia have persisted for decades, particularly over undemarcated areas along their 817-km (508-mile) land border. Central to these conflicts are the ancient Hindu temples of Ta Moan Thom and Preah Vihear. In 1962, the International Court of Justice awarded Preah Vihear to Cambodia, but tensions flared in 2008 when Cambodia sought to designate it as a UNESCO World Heritage site, leading to several skirmishes and fatalities over the years.

In June, Cambodia announced that it had requested the International Court of Justice to intervene in resolving its disputes with Thailand. However, Bangkok has expressed that it does not recognize the court’s jurisdiction and prefers to address issues through bilateral negotiations.

This report was compiled by contributors from various locations, including Sisaket, Bangkok, Phnom Penh, and Kuala Lumpur.