Thailand and Cambodia to hold peace talks in Malaysia tomorrow
Thai and Cambodian prime ministers accepted Malaysia as mediator and will meet tomorrow in Kuala Lumpur to find ways to end the bloody border conflicts, starting last Thursday, said Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan today.
Mohamad said Thailand’s acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, and Cambodian prime minister Hun Manet will be flying into Malaysia tomorrow to discuss the conflict between the neighbouring countries.
“I had the opportunity to speak with the foreign ministers of both Thailand and Cambodia. They both agreed that no other country should be involved in this issue. They have full confidence in Malaysia and have requested me to act as mediator.
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim is this year’s ASEAN chair and has tried to de-escalate the border tension which saw Cambodian troops continued attacking residential communities and hospitals in the four northeastern provinces of Thailand.
On Saturday it opened new front of attacks by firing artillery shells into Trat, an eastern province of Thailand. At least 13 Thais were killed, and many others were injured, mostly civilians from the attacks.
The Malaysian foreign minister said he was also waiting for a phone call from the US secretary of state (Marco Rubio) as they wish to know how the US can assist.
“However, I believe it is better for Malaysia to act as mediator first, as this is an internal Asean matter, and Malaysia, as the Asean chair, should play that role,” he told Malaysia’s state-owned Bernama.
Last night, both countries said they had agreed in principle to a ceasefire, following a phone call with US president Donald Trump. However Bangkok insisted that Phnom Penh has to show real sincerity in ending the conflicts.