Thailand’s military has confirmed that discussions with Cambodia over border issues are ongoing for the second day, with a decline in overall clashes along the frontier. The Secretariat meeting of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) commenced on the Thai side of the border in Chanthaburi province, with about 30 Cambodian delegates in attendance. Reports indicate a reduction in border skirmishes between the two nations, with instances of gunfire limited to specific areas.
Thailand’s 2nd Army Area Command reported that two Thai soldiers sustained injuries from a landmine while engaged in demining operations in the Ta Kwai Temple area. On the other hand, a Cambodian civilian lost their life during the conflict, bringing the civilian death toll in Cambodia to 31 as per the Cambodian Ministry of Defence. The ongoing Secretariat meeting is scheduled from Wednesday to Friday, with potential follow-up discussions between the defense ministers of both countries on Saturday, as mentioned by Thai Ministry of Defence spokesperson Surasant Kongsiri.
The recent escalation of tensions between Thailand and Cambodia, now in its third week, has led to frequent military clashes along the over 800-km border, impacting seven Thai border provinces. This situation has disrupted the lives of over 800,000 residents, resulting in casualties among soldiers and civilians. The conflict has evolved into a broader competition involving information and diplomatic strategies at the governmental level, complicating the ceasefire process due to various factors.
