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Thailand and Cambodia set for ceasefire talks after Donald Trump trade threat

Leaders to meet in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, according to the Thai government

Aid is distributed to some of the thousands displaced in Thailand’s Surin province by fighting on the border with Cambodia © AP

Aid is distributed to some of the thousands displaced in Thailand’s Surin province by fighting on the border with Cambodia © AP

The Thai and Cambodian leaders will meet for talks on Monday, as fighting continues in a conflict that has killed more than 30 people and displaced more than 200,000 along the countries’ border.

The two prime ministers are expected to meet in Kuala Lumpur, after a weekend in which Thailand and Cambodia accused each other of continued attacks and US President Donald Trump warned both countries that he would cut off trade talks if they did not agree a ceasefire.

Thailand said on Sunday evening that acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai had been invited to a meeting by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, the chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. It said it also expected Cambodian leader Hun Manet to attend.

Thailand warned that it “reaffirms sovereignty over every inch of its territory” and there would be “no negotiation on maps”.

Hun Manet said that he would lead the Cambodian delegation to the meeting, which he said was “co-organised by the United States and with participation of China” with the purpose of achieving ‘‘an immediate ceasefire’’. The announcement came on the heels of Trump’s calls to the Cambodian and Thai leaders.

The worst fighting between Thailand and Cambodia in more than a decade broke out on Thursday around the Ta Muen temple, which both countries claim, before spreading to other parts of their border region. 

Trump said in a social media post on Saturday that Cambodia and Thailand were also ‘‘looking to get back to the ‘Trading Table’ with the United States, which we think is inappropriate to do until such time as the fighting STOPS”. He added: “They have agreed to immediately meet and quickly work out a Ceasefire and, ultimately, PEACE!” 

Trump has threatened the two countries’ export-reliant economies with a 36 per cent tariff from August 1. 

Thailand’s foreign ministry said on Sunday that Wechayachai had spoken to Trump “and expressed that Thailand agrees in principle to have a ceasefire in place”, adding that it wanted to see ‘‘sincere intention’’ from Cambodia.

Hun Manet said that in his conversation with Trump, “Cambodia agreed with the proposal for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire between the two armed forces”. He added that he hoped “the Thai side will not reverse position”. 

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Author: John Reed and Sun Narin in Siem Reap

Source: Financial Times

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