Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to hold talks in Malaysia on Monday in an attempt to negotiate an end to a conflict that has lasted four days.
Thailand said on Sunday a delegation led by acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai would attend, after US President Donald Trump called the leaders of both countries on Saturday to press for an immediate ceasefire.
The Thai government said it had been told by Malaysia that Cambodian Prime Minister Hum Manet would also attend.
At least 33 soldiers and civilians have been killed while thousands of Thai and Cambodian nationals have been displaced since border fighting broke out on 24 July.
At the beginning of a private visit to his Scottish golf courses, Trump wrote on Truth Social that both nations “have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!”
Both countries thanked him for his concern and efforts, though shelling continued overnight into Sunday. Cambodia accepted his request for a ceasefire, while Thailand stressed the need for a dialogue between the two countries.
Cambodia had already proposed a ceasefire; its military is weaker than Thailand’s and it has been losing ground and equipment to the Thai artillery bombardments and air strikes. On the other hand, Thailand says it is willing to consider a ceasefire, but is sticking to its previous demand that dialogue with Cambodia must come first.
Credit: bbc.com
