Cambodia, Thailand Clash Over Venue for Border Talks

(MENAFN) Cambodia has called for military discussions with Thailand to be held in Malaysia as hostilities along their frontier persist, while Thailand insists the negotiations must occur on its own soil, according to reports on Tuesday.

Phnom Penh requested that the upcoming session of the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) take place in Kuala Lumpur, citing safety concerns tied to ongoing skirmishes. The request was made in a letter from Cambodian Defense Minister General Tea Seiha.

Addressing Thai Defense Minister General Nattaphon Narkphanit, Cambodia reaffirmed its commitment to convening the GBC on Wednesday but argued that the location should be shifted away from the conflict zone.

“For security reasons, due to the ongoing fighting along the border, this meeting should be held in a safe and neutral venue. In this regard, Malaysia has agreed to host it in Kuala Lumpur,” Gen. Tea Seiha wrote in his letter.

Thailand dismissed the suggestion. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stated that the GBC session would instead be held Wednesday in Chanthaburi province, according to the Thai newspaper Khaosod.

This dispute over the venue comes after a special ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Monday, which focused on the border tensions. Both nations had earlier agreed in principle to proceed with the GBC talks following that gathering.

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