Thailand and Cambodia to hold peace talks

BANGKOK/PHNOM PENH — Thailand and Cambodia's leaders will meet in Malaysia for peace talks on Monday, the Thai government said, as the border clashes entered the 4th day on Sunday.

Thailand's acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will lead a delegation to Kuala Lumpur on Monday for ceasefire talks, the government said in a statement on Sunday.

Malaysia told Thailand that Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet would attend the meeting, the statement said.

Cambodia has not immediately commented on the planned talks.

Malaysia, which chairs the 10-nation regional bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, which includes both countries, has called for an end to hostilities and offered to mediate.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Saturday urged the two sides to agree to a ceasefire.

Guterres urges both sides to agree to an immediate ceasefire and to address any issues through dialogue, to find a lasting solution to the dispute, said Farhan Haq, the UN chief's deputy spokesperson, in a statement.

"The Secretary-General condemns the tragic and unnecessary loss of lives, injuries to civilians and the damage to homes and infrastructure on both sides," Haq said. The UN chief "remains available to assist in any efforts toward a peaceful resolution of the dispute".

The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting behind closed doors late on Friday in New York. Both Cambodian and Thai envoys addressed the council, with Cambodia calling for an unconditional ceasefire and Thailand urging the other side to "end hostilities and resume dialogue".

US President Donald Trump, on his social media platform Truth Social on Saturday, said that he has spoken to the Prime Minister of Cambodia and the Acting Prime Minister of Thailand to request a ceasefire between the two countries.

Thailand and Cambodia both want to have an immediate ceasefire and peace, Trump said.

Trump also said the United States is currently dealing with trade with both countries, but he doesn't want to make any deal with either country if they are fighting.

"After speaking to both Parties, Ceasefire, Peace, and Prosperity seem to be a natural. We will soon see," he noted.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on Sunday reiterated Cambodia's willingness for an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire "between the armed forces of Cambodia and Thailand after the phone discussion with Trump.

Thailand on Sunday also responded to the ceasefire call, stating that the country agrees in principle to a ceasefire but would like to see a sincere intention from the Cambodian side.

Despite diplomatic efforts, fighting continued on Sunday along parts of the Thailand-Cambodia border as gunfire was heard in the early hours of Sunday.

Cambodia's Defense Ministry said Thailand had shelled and launched ground assaults on Sunday morning at several points along the border. The ministry's spokesperson said heavy artillery was fired at historic temple complexes.

The Thai army said Cambodian forces had fired shots into several areas, including near civilian homes, early on Sunday, and were mobilizing long-range rocket launchers.

Since the armed clashes between Cambodian and Thai soldiers over disputed border areas broke out on Thursday, more than 30 people have been killed on both sides.

More than 100,000 people have been evacuated to safe places, according to figures provided by the two countries.

Both sides have accused each other of violating international law and opening fire first.

Agencies - Xinhua