The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has taken a dangerous turn, resulting in 27 deaths. Violent clashes involving fighter jets, artillery, and ground forces have so far led to the death of 15 Cambodians, forcing a large number of people to flee. Meanwhile, Thailand's Health Minister has informed that 12 Thai citizens have also died in this conflict.
In the midst of this intense conflict, Cambodia on Friday called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire following a meeting of the United Nations Security Council. Chea Keo, Cambodia's ambassador to the UN, told the media, "Cambodia has requested an unconditional and immediate ceasefire, and we are also calling for a peaceful resolution of the dispute."
Chea Keo dismissed Thailand's claims that Cambodia was the aggressor in the conflict. He questioned, "How could a small neighbor like Cambodia attack a military power like Thailand?" He further stated that the Security Council has called on both sides to "exercise maximum restraint and resort to diplomatic solutions," which is "exactly what we are asking for."
Thailand Rejects Mediation Proposal
However, Thailand has outright rejected the involvement of a third-party mediator to resolve this dispute, instead emphasizing bilateral talks. Speaking to Reuters, two Thai officials stated that Thailand prefers direct talks with Cambodia over mediation. Thailand's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nikorndech Balankura said, "I don’t think we need third-country mediation at the moment."
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He mentioned that the United States, China, and Malaysia (the current ASEAN chair) had offered to mediate, but Thailand prefers to resolve the issue on its own for the time being.
The Horrors of the Fight: 15 Dead, Millions Displaced
Since the clashes began on Thursday, 15 people have died, and dozens have been injured. According to the Thai Ministry of Health, over 138,000 residents have been relocated to safe areas amid the artillery shelling in Thailand's border towns.
According to an AFP report, among the Cambodians killed are five soldiers and eight civilians, while 35,000 people have been forced to flee their homes. The Thai Ministry of Health also confirmed 15 deaths, including 14 civilians and one soldier.
Roots of the Dispute and Regional Tensions
This latest violence flared up along the contested 800-kilometer (500-mile) border between the two countries, reviving deep-seated tensions in the region visited by millions of tourists each year. The roots of the dispute lie in unresolved claims over ancient temples and strategic outposts. While sporadic skirmishes have occurred in recent years, the current conflict has shocked the entire region. Despite the ongoing fight, neither side has yet declared war.
Read More: 'Ceasefire Talks Too Premature', Thailand-Cambodia Fight Shows No Signs of Slowing, Shocking Even the UN
Malaysia Offers Mediation, Rejected by Thailand
ASEAN Chair and Malaysia's Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Thursday that he had discussions with the leaders of the two countries and urged them to find a peaceful solution. However, Thailand’s Deputy Foreign Minister Ras Jalachinda told reporters, "We appreciate the offer and do not want to dismiss third-party help, but for now, we believe that bilateral mechanisms have not been fully utilized."
Clearly, amid the ongoing border tensions and conflict, Thailand seeks a resolution on diplomatic terms of its own. It remains to be seen when and how direct negotiations between the two countries will open following Thailand's stance.
