It's time to choose peace

More than two weeks after armed clashes were reignited on Dec 7, Thailand and Cambodia have tentatively agreed to return to square one by reviving a key bilateral mechanism - the General Border Committee (GBC) - with the aim of seeking a peaceful resolution, or at least a ceasefire.

- 

However, it remains too early to know whether the meeting, which was scheduled to begin at 4pm yesterday afternoon in Chanthaburi, will proceed smoothly through to Saturday. That Cambodia agreed to shift the venue from its initial demand for Kuala Lumpur to Thailand's eastern province is nevertheless a positive sign.

Reports suggest both sides share an initial objective of military deescalation to keep negotiations alive. Yet the process remains fragile, with hawkish elements still active.

Peace advocates can do little more than hope that no new deadly clashes erupt, which could derail the talks. As of press time, fighting had not completely ceased, with both sides still exchanging fire.