ISTANBUL – Peace talks between Thailand and Cambodia began on Monday in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, focusing on achieving a ceasefire as deadly clashes reached the fifth day.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai are attending the meeting, hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Bernama News reported.
The latest clashes between Thailand and Cambodia began on Thursday over a territorial dispute along their shared border, resulting in the death of at least 35 people. Thousands have been displaced on both sides of the border. Officials from the US and China will oversee the talks.
“We are prepared to attend a special meeting to achieve an immediate ceasefire,” Manet said before the meeting started. He credited US President Donald Trump for the meeting, hosted by Malaysia and co-organized by the US, with the participation of China’s representative.
Before departing for Malaysia, Thailand’s acting premier told reporters he does not believe Cambodia is acting “in good faith.” “They need to demonstrate genuine intent, and we will assess that during the meeting,” he added.
Early on Monday, Cambodia’s Defense Ministry spokesperson, Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata accused the Thai forces of using chemical weapons. She told a press conference that the Thai forces opened an attack on Ta Moan Thom and Ta Krabei on Monday morning, even though the Cambodian prime minister and acting Thai prime minister are scheduled to meet in Malaysia.
Socheata alleged that since Sunday, Thai forces have been using air jets to carry out poison gas attacks on several Cambodian areas. The Thai Armed Forces, however, strongly denied Cambodia’s claim that Thailand used chemical weapons.
“Thailand does not develop, produce, or use chemical weapons and fully complies with the Chemical Weapons Convention,” Thai Enquirer reported, citing a Thai army statement.
In a statement, the US State Department said the US officials are on the ground in Malaysia to assist the peace efforts. “Both (US) President (Donald) Trump and I remain engaged with our respective counterparts from each country and are monitoring the situation very closely. We want this conflict to end as soon as possible,” the statement quoted Secretary of State Marco Rubio as saying.
China on Monday urged both sides “to keep the interests of the two peoples in mind and move towards a ceasefire.” (Anadolu)