Although tensions persisted after a decision to cease fatal border confrontations in response to economic pressure from the United States, Surina looked unstable but stayed in place Tuesday.
The ceasefire in Malaysia was tested shortly before it was set to go into force at midnight on Monday. Cambodia claimed there was no gunfire in any area, despite Thailand’s army accusing it of attacking several locations early Tuesday.
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A new confrontation broke out in one of the places where there had previously been considerable fighting, according to a statement released by the Thai government late Tuesday, although some spillover had been expected in the hours immediately following the ceasefire’s implementation. The Thai army stated that heavy artillery was not used, but they did confirm gunshot exchanges into Wednesday morning.
In a text message to reporters, Jirayu Houngsub, a spokesman for the prime minister’s office in Thailand, stated that the Thai military is presently responding and managing the situation at Phu Makhuea, a mountain in a disputed area adjacent to the Sisaket province of Thaikand.
Commanders get together
Thailand’s army claimed that following a meeting between military leaders from both sides along the border, the morning fighting ceased. Prior to a joint border committee meeting in Cambodia on August 4, they decided to stop troop movements, prevent escalation, and set up coordination teams, according to army spokesman Major Gen. Winthai Suvaree.
Tea Seiha, the defense minister for Cambodia, stated that he discussed incidents that happened during the ceasefire’s execution with his Thai counterpart, but he emphasized that the Cambodian army adhered to the truce. A delegation of diplomats, foreign military attachés, and other observers would be led by Cambodian defense officials, he added.
Separately, the Thai government stated that it has lodged complaints against Cambodia for allegedly violating the ceasefire deal with China, Malaysia, and the United States.
Along the border, there were indications of peace as some of the people who had been displaced by the violence went back to their homes.
American pressure
At least 41 people have been died in the battle, which Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai agreed put an unconditional halt to on Monday.
As the Association of Southeast Asian Nations’ yearly chair, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim hosted the gathering. In order to de-escalate and restore peace and security, he referred to the ceasefire as an essential first step.
Washington praised the truce announcement, according to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
According to a statement released by Rubio, President (Donald) Trump and I are dedicated to an immediate end to the violence and expect the governments of Thailand and Cambodia to completely fulfill their promises to put an end to this conflict.
Trump called to congratulate him on the peace move, Hun Manet said Tuesday. He wrote on social media that Trump promised to include the United States and Malaysia in the monitoring process to make sure the ceasefire is followed.
When Trump returned to Bangkok, he also gave Phumtham a call. According to Phumtham, Trump informed him that Thailand could now move forward with negotiations with Washington to determine the appropriate tariff levels on Thai exports and that he would try to make the negotiations as advantageous as possible.
Days before the United States is anticipated to make new trade tariff choices, the truce was announced. Two of the most severely affected nations are Thailand and Cambodia, where a 36% levy on imports from both nations will go into force this Friday.
Trump had given both sides a face-saving excuse to end the fighting by threatening that if hostilities persisted, the United States might not move forward with trade agreements with either nation.
Residents of the border are cautious.
The 800-kilometer (500-mile) border between Cambodia and Thailand has previously been the source of conflict. Five Thai soldiers were wounded on Thursday, which sparked the conflict. Since a clash in May that resulted in the death of a Cambodian soldier and a diplomatic rupture, tensions had been rising.
The truce was welcomed by residents on both sides of the border, but they were cautious because they did not know how long the calm would endure.
I’m worried that there might be more conflict. Thailand frequently starts the conflict before accusing Cambodia. Their goal is to take over our temples, which are located along the border. I would really like not witness any more fighting. Soklang Slay said this while assisting his daughter in returning to her house in the Oddar Meanchay province of Cambodia, where there had been a lot of fighting.
When the battle began, Soklang Slay and his family created a bunker to protect themselves from artillery, but they left when the bombardment got more intense on the second day.
Kritsada Jindasri, the village chief in Surin province, Thailand, reported hearing a lot of gunfire and explosions Monday night before the clock struck midnight.
“We remain wary. We are still not entirely convinced that it would end. After some 400 residents were evacuated last week, Kritsada and 60 other community leaders remained behind to investigate the situation.
Jirayu Jindasri, his brother, sought safety with family and then went back home.
Since they only made the announcement on the first day, I still don’t feel at ease. I’m not sure. “I’ll have to leave if it breaks out again,” he remarked.
The truce is nevertheless shaky and politically complex, according to analysts.
According to Kokthay Eng, a Cambodian historian, political scientist, and expert in international relations, Trump’s trade power and autocratic mindset have prevented more violence between the Thai and Cambodian people.
However, he cautioned that if the Thai government is unable to obtain lower U.S. tariffs, the ceasefire might not continue.
According to Bridget Welsh, a political analyst in Southeast Asia, it is dangerous and will need distinct marks to gain traction. A good border survey ought to start right away. Since the conflict’s underlying causes have not yet been resolved, it is now on hold.
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Reporting from Samrong, Cambodia, was Sopheng Cheang. Contributions to this article came from Anton L. Delgado in Samrong, Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul and Grant Peck in Bangkok, and Eileen Ng in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
