Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Halt Fighting That Has Killed Dozens
"U.S.-backed talks to end the border war, in which militaries have killed dozens of people and displaced hundreds of thousands, began on Monday in Malaysia.
By Sui-Lee Wee and Edward Wong
Sui-Lee Wee reported from Surin Province in Thailand, near the two countries’ disputed border. Edward Wong reported from Siem Reap, Cambodia.
Thailand and Cambodia agreed to a cease-fire starting at midnight on Monday, the leaders of both countries said, after the deadliest conflict between their two countries in more than a decade killed at least 38 people and prompted hundreds of thousands of civilians to flee the area.
Thailand’s acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, and Cambodia’s prime minister, Hun Manet, shook hands with each other after holding talks in person for the first time since the fighting broke out five days ago along the countries’ disputed border. Since last Thursday, both countries have pounded each other with attacks, which at times included airstrikes and rockets fired.
Reported sites of attacks and fighting since Thursday
But even on the morning of the talks, the fighting had continued, with sounds of explosions heard near the border. Things appeared to quiet down only in the afternoon as the Thai and Cambodian leaders sat down in Putrajaya, a city about a half-hour drive from Malaysia’s capital.
In the Thai province of Surin, Siriwut Wongcharoen, 59, a local official, who spoke by phone from a bunker in a temple where he was sheltering, said he was skeptical that the fighting would stop. He said he was still hearing gunshots as of Monday evening.
“I’m not leaving this bunker yet, as I don’t feel confident enough,” Mr. Siriwut said. “I will wait for another one to two days.”
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