Thailand-Cambodia Ceasefire Takes Effect

TaiwanPlus News

Thailand and Cambodia have reached a ceasefire, ending days of fierce border clashes. Relief on both sides is mixed, with skepticism over whether the peace can hold.

Transcript

00:00With this handshake, fierce border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia are set to stop.

00:08The leaders of the two countries are face-to-face next to the mediator, Malaysian Prime Minister

00:13Anwar Ibrahim, and they've agreed to a ceasefire without conditions for midnight Monday.

00:18It's a breakthrough in a conflict that's worried not just regional neighbors, but the

00:22big global powers.

00:24During the ceasefire talks, China urged a quick truce.

00:28And with that truce now settled, U.S. President Donald Trump has offered his congratulations.

00:36The biggest relief, though, is along the Thai-Cambodian border.

00:40At least 36 people are dead, and more than 300,000 people displaced on both sides.

00:45They've had to take shelter wherever they can find it, including in makeshift camps like

00:49this one on the Cambodian side.

00:52Here there is hope.

00:52This is really good news for us.

00:56I think all the people will be very happy with this announcement.

01:00But also skepticism.

01:02I will wait and see.

01:04Despite the ceasefire, I won't go tomorrow.

01:07I have to wait until the fighting really stops, so I think I will go back the day off to tomorrow.

01:13Across the border in Thailand, it's the same story of joy mixed with suspicion.

01:20I'm happy about that and feeling a bit relieved.

01:23We normal people who had to leave home would all be happy to be able to go back home.

01:28We miss our home.

01:30I don't believe Cambodia, because I don't think they would easily give up.

01:34We would have demanded some conditions for a ceasefire, and I don't think they would

01:39have accepted and so easily agreed with us.

01:42Further talks between the two sides are set for Tuesday, as displaced people get ready

01:46to head home.

01:47And the foreign and defense ministers of Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia are supposed to come

01:52up with a way to make sure the peace holds in the long run and locals can live in safety.

01:57But this isn't the first time border tensions have flared up, and with those tensions still

02:02high, a lasting truce is far from guaranteed.

02:06Joseph Wu and John Van Trieste for Taiwan Plus.

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