Cambodia wants to hold army negotiations with Thailand in Malaysia

(MENAFN) Cambodia has requested that upcoming military negotiations with Thailand be held in Malaysia due to ongoing clashes along their shared border, while Thailand insists the talks take place on its territory, according to reports.

Phnom Penh asked for the Cambodia–Thailand General Border Committee (GBC) meeting to be held in Kuala Lumpur, citing security concerns arising from continuing fighting, in a letter from Cambodian Defense Minister General Tea Seiha to his Thai counterpart, General Nattaphon Narkphanit. The letter stated: “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.”

Thailand rejected the proposal. Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow said the GBC meeting would instead take place on Wednesday in Chanthaburi province, as reported by local media.

The venue dispute follows a special ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting in Kuala Lumpur on Monday aimed at addressing the border tensions. Both countries had previously agreed in principle to hold the GBC talks following that meeting. The last session of the committee was held in Cambodia’s Koh Kong province in September.

Meanwhile, fighting along the border continues. Thai authorities reported ongoing clashes across four provinces in the northeastern Isan region, with Thai forces conducting concentrated supporting fire against Cambodian troops. Cambodia’s Defense Ministry, however, stated that Thai forces continued shelling Cambodian territory, highlighting the persistent volatility in the area.

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