TRAT — Thailand and Cambodia reached a landmark agreement Wednesday to jointly clear dangerous landmines along their shared border and gradually reopen key trade checkpoints, marking the most significant step toward normalizing relations since tensions escalated over territorial disputes last month.
The breakthrough came during a special meeting of the General Border Committee (GBC), where both sides committed to five major initiatives aimed at ending weeks of tension that had disrupted trade and raised security concerns.
Immediate Actions Planned
The most urgent measures involve removing heavy weapons from the border zone and launching a coordinated effort to clear landmines that pose ongoing dangers to civilians. Joint teams will begin identifying clearance sites within weeks, with pilot operations starting within a month.
Both countries also agreed to tackle the growing problem of online fraud operations, with Thailand handing over locations of more than 60 scam centers operating on Cambodian soil. Police chiefs from both sides will meet September 16th in Sa Kaeo to plan joint raids.
Three-Zone Approach
Thai security officials outlined a new border management strategy dividing the frontier into three zones based on threat levels. The most volatile areas spanning four northeastern provinces (Ubon Ratchathani, Sisaket, Surin, Buriram) will maintain heightened security, while the eastern provinces of Chanthaburi and Trat will see relaxed restrictions allowing limited trade to resume.
The disputed village of Baan Nong Chan in Sa Kaeo province will serve as a test case for resolving territorial disagreements through diplomatic channels rather than military confrontation.
Economic Pressure Mounts
General Natthapol Nakpanit, who led Thailand’s delegation, revealed that third countries had pressed both sides to reopen trade routes, citing economic disruption from the border closure. He specifically mentioned Thai-funded factories in Cambodia employing over 30,000 workers that have been unable to receive equipment and supplies.
“Thailand and Cambodia cannot run away from each other,” General Natthapol said. “We must solve problems peacefully to bring peace back to the border area.”
The next round of talks will be held in Thailand within 30 days to monitor progress on the agreements.
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