Hopes rise for ceasefire

PM sets conditions to end hostilities

- CHAIRITH YONPIAM APINYA WIPATAYOTIN

Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul has reaffirmed that Thailand will agree to a 72-hour ceasefire but will not accept Cambodia's proposal to resume border negotiations at the positions held before the latest round of clashes, insisting that Thailand “cannot retreat” from areas it has secured.

However, at about 5pm yesterday, Cambodian troops fired an MB-21 rocket barrage at Ban Nong Chan in Surin, killing three Thai soldiers and injuring 17 others, shortly after both countries had agreed to a truce.

Following a National Security Council (NSC) meeting yesterday, Mr Anutin said the government had approved sending Defence Minister Gen Nattaphon Narkphanit to lead Thailand's delegation to today’s General Border Committee (GBC) talks in Chanthaburi.

The discussions aim to finalise a joint statement under the Kuala Lumpur framework, endorsed in principle by both sides’ secretariats during three days of technical talks.

He stressed that the meeting would invoke Section 8 of the State Administration Act, giving Gen Nattaphon full cabinet authority to negotiate.