Why Thailand and Cambodia won’t stop their deadly border conflict

A long-running border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia has already displaced more than 800,000 people. The century-long conflict stems from a disagreement between the two nations over lines drawn on colonial maps and has led to repeated violent clashes. Back in July, the US brokered a ceasefire deal between the two neighbours, bringing to an end a four-day deadly armed confrontation. Yet, just five months later, a skirmish on December 7 reignited the border clashes, killing dozens of people on both sides of the frontier. More than a week into the fierce fighting, Thailand is demanding a unilateral ceasefire from Cambodia, to which Phnom Penh has not responded yet. With both sides blaming each other for the renewed violence and claiming self-defence, how can the dispute be resolved?

Guests:

Phongthep Thepkanjana
Former Thai Deputy Prime Minister

Chheang Vannarith
Chairperson of the Angkor Social Innovation Park

Bill Hayton
Associate Fellow in the Asia-Pacific Programme at Chatham House

#Thailand #Cambodia #theNewsmakers