Cambodia - Thailand agree to reduce tensions after border gunfight

Bangkok [Thailand], May 30: The Khmer Times reported yesterday that Cambodia and Thailand have tried to cool tensions after a gunfight between soldiers of the two countries near a disputed border area early on the morning of May 28.
Cambodian and Thai military commanders also met on Thursday. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet wrote on Facebook that he hoped the meeting between the two military commanders "will yield positive results". Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra said on Thursday that "both sides should remain calm and discuss to see what we can agree on", and called for peaceful negotiations. Thai Defense Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said on the same day that there had been "a misunderstanding between the two sides", according to AFP.
During a meeting yesterday afternoon, military commanders of the two countries agreed to resolve the issue through the Joint Border Committee and maintain appropriate stances to minimize direct confrontations, according to The Nation. Commanders at all levels also discussed and agreed that soldiers from both sides would withdraw at least 200 meters from the clash site.
Earlier, the gunfight occurred at 5:45 a.m. on May 28 in an area that has not yet been demarcated, where both Cambodia and Thailand have overlapping claims. The Thai military said on May 28 that its soldiers had opened fire in response to Cambodian border guards. Meanwhile, Cambodian military spokesman Mao Phalla accused Thai soldiers of attacking Cambodian soldiers on border patrol duty and confirmed that one soldier was killed, according to AFP.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper