Thailand asks to shift GBC talks to Kuala Lumpur

Thailand is seeking the relocation of the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting, scheduled for next Monday in Phnom Penh, to Malaysia, an informed source said today.

The meeting will be chaired by Thailand’s acting defence minister, Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit, and his Cambodian counterpart, Gen Tea Seiha.

The request is based on, what the Thai side regards as, the sensitive nature of the situation in both countries following recent border conflicts.

Therefore, Thailand believes the GBC should be convened in a neutral location, and Malaysia has informed Thailand that it is ready to host the meeting.

When Thailand and Cambodia reached an unconditional ceasefire deal on July 28th in Malaysia, both sides agreed to hold the ministerial meeting on August 4, as a means of de-escalating the border situation, which has claimed lives on both sides and displaced tens of thousands of people.

Under normal circumstances, it would have been Phnom Penh’s turn to host the meeting. Bangkok, however, considers the current situation to be of an extraordinary nature.

Malaysia, as chair of ASEAN this year, has acted as a mediator in attempts to resolve the conflicts between both ASEAN members.

Thailand also believes that a one-day meeting, as initially proposed, would not be sufficient for comprehensive discussions. Therefore, it has proposed extending the meeting, from next Monday through Wednesday.