Description: Under the rules of the jointly – established General Border Committee between Thailand and Cambodia, defense officials on both sides met at the Ban Pakkad – Pailin border crossing where discussions were held regarding the deescalation of the current situation, clarification of the ongoing clashed and maintaining open channels of communication. In the interim, Thai and Cambodian military personnel engaged in cross – border fighting in the Sisaket and Surin provinces, where one Thai soldier was reported to have been injured. Cambodian defense forces claimed that Thai forces carried out air strikes on the Banan district in the border province of Battambang on civilian targets. Fighting was also reported in the Banteay Meanchey province where according to Cambodia’s Ministry of Education two civilians have been injured. The negotiations would last for four days and are expected to culminate with a potential meeting between the ministers of defense from both countries on 27 Dec. The ministers would aim to establish a high – level dialogue which would aim to bring the prime ministers of both countries back to the negotiation table.
Impact: The reengagement of negotiations from both sides sets the basis for achieving the elusive long – term solution to the bilateral border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia. The ongoing clashes represent a second alternative to the peace process where Thailand holds significant advantage over Cambodia. China’s most recent direct involvement in the mediation process further spurs hope that the latest round of negotiations could result in a potential peace agreement, however, taking into account the historic context of the dispute combined with the current elevated nationalistic rhetoric on both sides of the border, clashes are expected to continue at least in the short to mid – term period. Both countries insist on engaging each other diplomatically and through military channels which signals potential for immediate deescalation with little to no mediation efforts. The higher level meeting of government and defense officials would determine whether the countries are headed towards a peaceful resolution or the indefinite continuation of armed hostilities.