Thailand and Cambodia to hold peace talks as Trump urges them to settle differences
Thailand and Cambodia hold peace talks as Trump urges them to settle differences
(about 5 hours later)
Prime ministers of two countries to attend talks in Malaysia on Monday, following Trump threat on Saturday to pause trade deals unless fighting stopped
Prime ministers of two countries attend talks in Malaysia, following Trump threat on Saturday to pause trade deals unless fighting stopped
Donald Trump has said he believed both Thailand and Cambodia wanted to settle their differences after he told the leaders of both countries that he would not conclude trade deals with them unless they ended their fighting.
Donald Trump has said he believes Thailand and Cambodia want to settle their differences, as the leaders of both countries prepare to meet in Malaysia for talks to end deadly clashes that are into their fifth day.
On Monday, Thai and Cambodian leaders will meet in Malaysia for talks to end hostilities, a spokesperson for the Thai prime minister’s office said on Sunday. The deadly border dispute, now in its fourth day, has killed at least 35 people and displaced more than 218,000.
At least 35 people have been killed and more than 270,000 displaced by the worst fighting in over a decade between the neighbouring countries. Clashes continued early on Monday, just hours before negotiations were due to begin in Kuala Lumpur.
Trump told reporters in Turnbery, Scotland: “I spoke to both of the prime ministers, and I think by the time I got off, I think they want to settle now.”
Trump said on Saturday that he had spoken to leaders of both countries, warning the US would not negotiate a trade deal with either side until the fighting stopped. Both Thailand and Cambodia face the prospect of a 36% US tariff from 1 August.
A spokesperson for Thailand’s acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, said the leader would attend Monday’s talks in response to an invitation from Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim “to discuss peace efforts in the region”. Anwar has been acting in his capacity as this year’s chair of the 10-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean).
The US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, said US state department officials were present in Malaysia to assist peace efforts. The Cambodian prime minister, Hun Manet, said the meeting had been “co-organized by the United States and with participation of China”.
Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet confirmed his participation as well. “I will lead [the] Cambodian delegation to attend a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur hosted by Malaysia, co-organised by the United States and with participation of China,” he said.
China is a close ally of Cambodia and has previously expressed concern over the conflict, saying it will “promote talks for peace” and “play a constructive role in promoting deescalation”.
China is a close ally of Cambodia, and early in the fighting urged the two nations to resolve their differences peacefully. Hun Manet’s statement appeared to be the first mention of a Chinese link to Monday’s planned talks.
Malaysia is the current chair of the regional bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, and has also been calling for an end to the fighting.
Trump posted on the Truth Social social network 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.
Thailand and Cambodia have a long-running dispute over territory on their shared border, but fighting erupted on Thursday after Thai soldiers were injured in a landmine explosion. Both recalled their ambassadors, and Thailand closed its border crossings with Cambodia, downgrading diplomatic relations.
Hun Manet said earlier on Sunday his country agreed to pursue an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire”. He said Trump told him that Thailand had also agreed to halt attacks after the US president’s conversation with Phumtham.
The two sides have traded blame for the clashes, which continued early on Monday.
Phumtham thanked Trump and qualified Thailand’s position, saying it agreed in principle to a ceasefire but stressed the need for “sincere intention” from Cambodia, the Thai foreign ministry said.
“This is the fifth day that Thailand has invaded Cambodia’s territory with heavy weapons and with the deployment of a lot of troops to grab Cambodia’s land,” said Cambodia’s defence ministry spokesperson, Maly Socheata, ahead of the talks.
US state department spokesperson Tammy Bruce on Sunday said the US “is prepared to facilitate future discussions in order to ensure peace and stability” between the two countries, and that secretary of state Marco Rubio had spoken to the foreign ministers of both Thailand and Cambodia, urging them “to de-escalate tensions immediately and agree to a ceasefire”.
The Thai military said fighting had continued early on Monday, while Thailand’s acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, told reporters as he departed Bangkok airport: “We do not believe Cambodia is acting in good faith, based on their actions in addressing the issue.
The fighting flared on Thursday after a landmine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers. Both sides blamed each other for starting the clashes. Both countries recalled their ambassadors and Thailand closed its border crossings with Cambodia, with an exception for migrant Cambodian workers returning home.
“They need to demonstrate genuine intent, and we will assess that during the meeting,” he added.
Despite the diplomatic efforts, fighting continued on Sunday along parts of the contested border, with both sides refusing to budge and trading blame over renewed shelling and troop movements.
In Thailand, 22 people have been killed, including 14 civilians, in fighting so far. Cambodia said 13 people had been killed, though it was unclear if that included Lt Gen Duong Samnieng, whose death in combat was announced on Sunday.
Colonel Richa Suksowanont, a Thai army deputy spokesperson, said Cambodian forces fired heavy artillery into Surin province, including at civilian homes, early on 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 to strike Cambodian artillery and rocket launchers.
More than 139,000 people in Thailand have been evacuated from their homes, leaving border areas deserted, with shops, schools and hospitals shut. In Cambodia, more than 134,000 people have been displaced and moved to safer areas.
Battlefield operations would continue and a ceasefire can only happen if Cambodia formally initiates negotiations, he added.
Phumtham said on Sunday that military operations would continue until an agreement had been reached. “The soldiers will continue to do their job at full steam – so Thais do not worry – until the government has reached a clear agreement that there is no danger for the people and ensure we maintain the country’s interests in order to bring the peace we want to see.”
“Cambodian attacks remain irregular and may constitute violations of rules of engagement, posing further risk to border communities,” said the Thai military’s daily summary of the fighting issued on Sunday night.
Thailand has accused Cambodia of targeting civilian areas, including a hospital, while Cambodia has accused the Thai military of using cluster munitions.
“The situation remains highly tense, and it is anticipated that Cambodia may be preparing for a major military operation prior to entering negotiations,” it said.
The clashes have also prompted a cancellation of celebrations due to be held for Thailand’s king, Maha Vajiralongkorn, who marks his 73rd birthday on Monday.
Cambodian defense ministry spokesperson Lt Gen Maly Socheata accused Thai forces of escalating the violence with bombardment of Cambodian territory early on Sunday, followed by a “large-scale incursion” involving tanks and ground troops in multiple areas.
The conflict has also led to a rise in nationalism in both countries, prompting Thai officials to warn its citizens to “refrain from any kind of violence, whether in speech or action”, against Cambodian migrants living in the country.
“Such actions undermine all efforts toward peaceful resolution and expose Thailand’s clear intent to escalate rather than de-escalate the conflict,” she said.
The dispute has been complicated by a feud between two senior political figures from either country – Hun Sen, the former leader of Cambodia and father of current prime minister Hun Manet, and Thaksin Shinawatra, former Thai leader and father of current prime minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra. Paetongtarn is currently suspended from office, after Hun Sen leaked a recording of a controversial phone call he had held with her. It is not clear why he leaked the call, but it caused outrage in Thailand and has underlined the extent of the falling out between the two families.
Thailand on Sunday reported a new death of a soldier, bringing its total number of fatalities to 22, mostly civilians. Cambodia said 13 people have been killed, though it was unclear if that included Lt. Gen. Duong Samnieng, whose death in combat was announced on Sunday.
More than 139,000 people in Thailand have evacuated to safe locations and over 79,000 people fled from three Cambodian provinces. Many border villages are mostly deserted, with many schools and hospitals shut.
