Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet has said the primary aim of Monday’s negotiations with Thailand is to secure an immediate ceasefire, as both nations remain locked in a deadly border dispute. But ahead of the talks in Kuala Lumpur, Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed scepticism over Cambodia’s sincerity.
The high-stakes meeting, hosted by Malaysia in its capacity as ASEAN chair, marks the first major attempt to end what has become the most intense fighting between the neighbours in over a decade. Hun Manet said the discussions were co-organised by the United States, with China also participating.
Ongoing skirmishes continued along the disputed border hours before the meeting, with both sides blaming the other for triggering and escalating the conflict.
“We are not confident in Cambodia, their actions so far have reflected insincerity in solving the problem,” Phumtham told reporters before departing for the Malaysian capital.
“Cambodia has violated international law, but everybody wants to see peace. Nobody wants to see violence that affects civilians.”
Cambodia has rejected Thailand’s allegations, insisting it has not targeted civilians and accusing Thailand of endangering innocent lives. Phnom Penh has called for international condemnation of what it described as Thai aggression.
Hun Manet, in a message posted on X, said the purpose of the meeting was to “achieve an immediate ‘ceasefire’,” a plan he said was initiated by US President Donald Trump and agreed to by both Cambodian and Thai leaders.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that State Department officials would support the peace efforts, following Trump’s earlier remarks that he believed both sides were willing to resolve the crisis.
Tensions have escalated sharply since the late May killing of a Cambodian soldier during a brief border clash. The incident triggered a surge in troop deployments and fuelled a diplomatic standoff that has pushed Thailand’s fragile coalition government to the brink.
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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