Thailand and Cambodia will hold high-stakes peace talks on Monday in Kuala Lumpur after bloody clashes on the border between the two nations who have already lost dozens of people and displaced thousands. The talks follow the intervention of the former U.S. president Donald Trump, which attributes the trade talks process between the two countries to a binding agreement of a ceasefire.
On Trump Truth Social, Trump expressed that he was involved by saying he had talked to Cambodian Prime minister Hun Manet and the Thailand acting prime minister Phumtham Wechayachai. All the parties are heading toward peace he said, and the trade cooperation of the U.S. would only take place once the hostilities ceased.
Bidthink Imminent
The conflict that broke out in July 24 is the most violent border conflict between the two nations in the past one decade. It started after a detonation of a landmine in which some Thai soldiers died and led to the heavy artillery firing in the contentious Preah Vihear temple region. Reported casualties stand at more than 30 deaths and more than 200,000 displaced persons as the fighting worsened.
Thailand has also reported Cambodian attacks in civilian-hit locations and Cambodian government accuses Thai armies of bombing hospitals and use of cluster munitions. The two sides have increased the military presence along the border which has created concerns that a broader confrontation could happen.
The International pressure runs high
The negotiations will be led by Malaysia Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in an ASEAN framework and they will include the representatives of the United Nations, United States, and China. The US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that American diplomats had been sent to back mediation efforts.
Antonio Guterres, the secretary-general of the UN, also applauded the negotiations and urged the governments to protect civilians and avoid the further deteriorations. World watchers note that the ceasefire can only be maintained with a monitored one with high enforcement.
The two countries have high stakes.
The warfare is of high harm to the two countries. Thailand is increasingly exposed to criticism at home where authorities have been unable to prevent violence while Cambodia stands at risk of economic crises and humanitarian disasters along it borders.
Cambodia will prioritize to sustain a genuine peace as stated by Prime Minister Hun Manet and Phumtham believes that Thailand would counter the sovereignty. Analysts think that international mediation together with the economic pressure exerted by Trump might be the decisive in advancing the talks.
Strategic Leverage by Trump
The interest of Trump has attracted international concern and his application of trade powers to bring about peace has elicited both critics and accolades. According to those in support, the act compelled desperate relations whereas critics term it coercive diplomacy. However, his intervention seems to make these two countries come to the table.
