CEASEFIRE BETWEEN THAILAND AND CAMBODIA?

By Anshika Khera

As Usual and other regional powers push for a ceasefire , Thai and Cambodian leaders began talking regarding ending their deadliest decade-long border conflict . Thailand’s acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime minister Hun Manet are discussing it on Monday in Putrajaya , Malaysia’s administrative capital.

The time was scheduled at 3 pm and the talks began shortly after the time , said by Anwar ‘s office. This discussion and talk is the first formal one after the clashes that erupted on 24th July , in which 35 people were killed and more than 1.5 lakhs people displaced on both sides of the 800 kilometre border. The atmosphere was tensed as airstrikes and artillery fire was reported and both the sides accused each other of targeting the civilians.

Before the discussions happened , US President Donald Trump said that Thai and Cambodia had agreed for a quick ceasefire. After separate talks with Phumtham and Manet , Trump said that Washington would not do a trade deal if the fighting continued.

The current conflict traces its roots from a long colonial era dispute and the relations were stable after the 2011 clash but recent tensions have triggered fear and concern of escalated fighting.