Cambodia’s defence ministry has asked Thailand to hold bilateral talks in the neutral venue of Kuala Lumpur, according to a letter obtained by AFP on Tuesday, as the countries prepare to negotiate a truce after two weeks of deadly border clashes.
Renewed fighting this month has killed at least 23 people in Thailand and 21 in Cambodia, while more than 900,000 civilians have been displaced on both sides. Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow announced on Monday that a parley would take place within the framework of an existing bilateral border committee, initially scheduled for Wednesday in Thailand’s Chanthaburi.
In a letter dated Monday to his Thai counterpart Nattaphon Narkphanit, Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Seiha requested that the meeting be held in Kuala Lumpur.
“For a security reason due to the ongoing fighting along the border, this meeting should be held in a safe and neutral venue,” Tea wrote. AFP confirmed the letter with the Cambodian ministry. Malaysia, which currently chairs the ASEAN regional bloc, has agreed to host the talks in its capital.
Meanwhile, Cambodia reported that Thai forces launched air strikes on its territory on Monday, shortly after Bangkok had announced the agreement to hold discussions. Cambodian Defence Ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata said combat along the border was continuing on Tuesday morning and confirmed that Thai forces shelled the border city of Poipet.
The renewed clashes have threatened to unravel previous truce agreements, with both sides under pressure to halt the violence while diplomatic channels are being arranged.
