Thailand, Cambodia truce holds amid ‘violations’

SURIN, Thailand, July 30 ------ A shaky ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia appeared to be holding as military commanders met despite Bangkok’s allegations that the truce had been breached with overnight skirmishes.

Following peace talks in Malaysia on Monday, both sides agreed an unconditional ceasefire would start at midnight to end fighting over a smattering of ancient temples in disputed zones along their 800-kilometer border. On Tuesday, the Thai military said Cambodian troops “had launched armed attacks into several areas” in “a clear attempt to undermine mutual trust,” but said clashes later stopped.

Cambodia’s defense ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata insisted there had been “no armed clashes against each other in any regions.” However, both sides said some morning meetings between rival military commanders along the border — scheduled as part of the pact — had gone ahead.

Cambodian leader Hun Manet and Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai shook hands over the ceasefire deal Monday at peace talks hosted by Malaysia and attended by delegates from the United States and China. “I saw photos of the two leaders shaking hands,” said 32-year-old pharmacy worker Kittisak Sukwilai in the Thai city of Surin — 50 kilometers from the border. “I just hope it’s not just a photo op with fake smiles — and that those hands aren’t preparing to stab each other in the back.”

In Cambodia’s Samraong city — 20 kilometers from the frontier — an AFP journalist said the sound of blasts stopped in the 30 minutes leading up to midnight, with the lull continuing until midday. “The frontline has eased since the ceasefire at midnight,” Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet said in a Tuesday morning message on Facebook.

Source: manilatimes.net