Talks between Thai and Cambodian officials are set to conclude in the Malaysian capital, Kuala Lumpur, after a meeting to strengthen a fragile ceasefire was held on Thursday.
Reports said both sides were pushing more forces into the disputed region. Malaysia, with US assistance, brokered the ceasefire between the countries on July 28, five days after the deadly clashes. As many as 40 people have lost their lives while more than 2,60,000 people became homeless overnight.
Both nations have accused each other of violating the ceasefire, even as their respective officials have been discussing the situation in Kuala Lumpur since Monday. The four-day talks concluded on Thursday with a meeting between the Cambodian Defence Minister Tea Seiha and Thai Deputy Defence Minister Natthaphon Nakpanit.
“The situation on the border is tense and can erupt at any moment,” said the Thai Parliamentarian whose constituency included Nam Yuen district on the border with Cambodia.
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Tensions have persisted on both sides with mediators trying to de-escalate the situation on a priority basis. Some of the ex-lawmakers from Cambodia claimed on Sunday that ‘a renewed Thai offensive with a more military push was imminent’.
While the Trump administration has promised business deals with both countries in case they end all hostilities, residents from Thailand have said they did not trust the Cambodian forces. While international mediation has managed to restrict the two sides from fighting against one another since the early clashes, there are apprehensions that a single event or a bullet could send the region into permanent chaos.
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