Resetting Thailand-Cambodia relations

After three months of catastrophic relations, Thailand and Cambodia are starting to turn confrontation into cooperation, but such efforts will be obstructed by on-the-ground realities and invisible barriers.

- Kavi Chongkittavorn

Current Thai Defence Minister Nattaphon Narkphanit (then deputy minister), Malaysian Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Cambodian Defence Minister Gen Tea Seiha are seen ahead of talks in Kuala Lumpur on Aug 7 to discuss Thai-Cambodian border issues. REUTERS

(REUTERS)

This week is highly significant, as the two countries’ technical teams are convening the anticipated second Special General Border Committee (GBC) meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

If everything goes as planned, both sides will agree on the drafted two-page document with which they must comply in totality.

Once US President Donald Trump arrives in Malaysia's capital on Sunday, Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Prime Minister Hun Manet will be ready to sign on the document, which could be called the Kuala Lumpur Accord. The Asean chair, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, and Mr Trump will witness the signing ceremony on the sidelines of the Asean-US Summit.

The accord will be a strictly bilateral document, but the timing is strategic. Mr Trump's presence also coincides with the goal of the current Asean chair to promote regional peace and real dialogue.

For the two neighbours, it will jumpstart the efforts to reset ties after years of mistrust and competing narratives. Cambodia has been trying hard to portray Thailand as the aggressor — an image Thailand firmly rejects. Bangkok insists that its actions have always been defensive and guided by international law.

On the other hand, Phnom Penh has been quite successful in playing the underdog by using emotional appeals and historical grievances to arouse sympathy at the regional and international levels.