After weeks of renewed deadly combat and a previous failed attempt at peace, Thailand and Cambodia are set to resume critical talks this week, aiming for a truly durable ceasefire along their shared border. The recent flare-up has seen airstrikes, rocket attacks, and the tragic displacement of over half a million people, with dozens killed on both sides.
The last ceasefire, brokered under pressure and witnessed by U.S. President Donald Trump in October, quickly unraveled. According to Thailand’s foreign minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, that agreement was rushed and lacked the necessary details to truly hold. Public declarations, he suggested, seemed more focused on international pressure than genuine resolution.
This time, the approach is different. A general border committee will meet on Wednesday to “thrash out the details” and ensure any agreement “reflects the situation on the ground” and is fully respected by both nations. The focus is firmly on bilateral negotiations, avoiding the pitfalls of past public posturing.
A key point of contention remains the deployment of landmines. Thailand has repeatedly accused Cambodia of laying new mines, leading to soldier injuries – a claim Cambodia denies, attributing them to remnants of its civil war. This specific issue, along with others, will be crucial in building a lasting truce. The international community, including the U.S. State Department, has also called for an end to hostilities and the removal of heavy weapons.
The hope is that these renewed, detailed discussions can finally bring an end to the escalating violence and bring real peace to the volatile border region.
