Cambodia and Thailand defence officials to meet to discuss truce

Defence officials from Thailand and Cambodia will meet on December 24 to discuss the possibility of resuming a ceasefire between the two countries, Thailand's top diplomat said on Monday, as border fighting entered a third week.



The decision was taken on Monday during a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur of Southeast Asian foreign ministers, who were seeking to salvage a truce first brokered by ASEAN chair Malaysia and U.S. President Donald Trump after a previous round of clashes in July.



The two countries agreed to hold talks using their General Border Committee, an established bilateral mechanism, with Thailand proposing that it takes place at the border line in the Thai province of Chanthaburi, Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told a briefing in Kuala Lumpur.



Cambodia's defence ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.



Sihasak said Thailand wanted a "true ceasefire" with a firm commitment from Cambodia and a detailed implementation plan, adding that de-mining was necessary to move the process forward.