Royal Thai Army soldiers sit in the back of an army vehicle in the Thai border province of Surin on July 29. — AFP/VNA Photo

BANGKOK — Thai and Cambodian officials have commenced critical border security discussions in Malaysia, with representatives from both nations gathering to address six pivotal issues that could reshape relations along their contested frontier.

The secretary-level meeting, running from August 4-6, serves as preparation for high-stakes ministerial talks scheduled for August 7.

The General Border Committee (GBC) gathering was relocated from Phnom Penh to Kuala Lumpur for safety reasons amid ongoing tensions.

Thailand’s delegation is headed by the Director-General of the Department of Border Affairs, who serves as the GBC Secretary for Thailand.

The team includes representatives from the Foreign Ministry, Interior Ministry, National Security Council, Defence Ministry, and all branches of the armed forces and police.

Gen Datuk Mohd Nizam Jaffar, Malaysia’s Chief of Defence Forces, welcomed both delegations at the Malaysian Armed Forces Officers Mess on Monday afternoon, expressing optimism for productive discussions.

Six critical issues on the agenda

The talks centre on maintaining the ceasefire agreement reached on July 28, with both sides seeking to establish formal military mechanisms to prevent renewed clashes along the border.

Key agenda items include proposals for troop withdrawal and the establishment of safe zones, with discussions expected to focus on demilitarised zones or mutually acceptable oversight mechanisms to reduce long-term tensions.

Officials will also investigate incidents that occurred before the ceasefire, including clarification of military and civilian casualties - a process that could significantly impact mutual trust between the neighbouring countries.

The establishment of local coordination channels features prominently, particularly in sensitive border areas such as Chong An Ma in Ubon Ratchathani province, aimed at enabling direct contact during emergencies and preventing misunderstandings that could escalate into violence.

Thailand is pushing for an intelligence information exchange system to preempt threats and reduce clashes caused by miscommunication.

Additionally, both sides are exploring the restoration of economic and social cooperation, including the opening of temporary border checkpoints in areas not yet officially operational. — The Nation/ANN