'Border Clash' Thailand-Cambodia Seek Ceasefire... Death Toll Rises to 32

[Financial News] As the death toll from the two-day armed conflict between Thailand and Cambodia rises to 32, it is reported that both countries have agreed in principle to a ceasefire, and efforts are being made to resolve the situation.
According to AP and AFP on the 26th (local time), Mali Sochietta, spokesperson for the Cambodian Ministry of Defense, announced that since the outbreak of fighting on the 24th, a total of 13 people, including 8 civilians and 5 soldiers, have died in Cambodia.
In Thailand, 19 people have died, bringing the total death toll to 32.
On this day, with no news yet of the resumption of fighting, Cambodia is actively responding to mediation efforts by ASEAN, to which both countries belong.
Hun Manet, the Prime Minister of Cambodia, stated on social media that he agreed to the ceasefire proposal by Anwar Ibrahim, the Prime Minister of Malaysia, who is the chair of ASEAN this year, and that he heard from Prime Minister Anwar that Thailand also agreed.
However, he said that just an hour later, Thailand reversed its position, calling it regrettable.
Prime Minister Anwar also stated to Malaysia's official Bernama news agency that Thailand and Cambodia agreed to a ceasefire and to withdraw troops from the border, but requested more time before implementing the measures.
Chia Keo, Cambodia's UN ambassador, also stated after a closed UN Security Council emergency meeting held in New York in the early morning (Eastern US time, afternoon of the 25th) that "an unconditional and immediate ceasefire was requested" and "urged a peaceful resolution of the conflict."
In response, Nikorndet Balankura, spokesperson for the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said that fighting began to subside from the previous afternoon and that Thailand is open to negotiations supported by Malaysia.
Thailand also stated that it agrees in principle to the ceasefire plan and will review it, but the ceasefire must be based on "appropriate field conditions."
Russ Jalichandra, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Thailand, told Bloomberg News that Thailand will not stop military action first and that a ceasefire proposal can only be considered if Cambodia ceases hostilities.
Meanwhile, the Thai military authorities announced the declaration of martial law in 8 areas in Chanthaburi and Trat provinces in central Thailand, adjacent to Cambodia.
Chanthaburi and Trat provinces border Cambodia, but are separate from Surin, Sisaket, and Ubon Ratchathani provinces in eastern Thailand, where the current battle occurred.


nodelay@fnnews.com Ji-yeon Park, Reporter