Thailand sets ceasefire conditions, will Cambodia accept them?
According to the Thai newspaper "National", on the 16th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand proposed three ceasefire conditions to Cambodia regarding the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand, including requiring Cambodia to declare a ceasefire first; the ceasefire must be real and sustainable, and no violent conflict can be resumed; Cambodia must cooperate in clearing border landmines.
At the same time, Thai Defense Minister Nataporn Naphanitch further emphasized that the conflict will not continue indefinitely, but Thailand will not cease fire before Cambodia clearly stops all hostile actions.
It should be said that, regarding these three conditions proposed by Thailand, the possibility of Cambodia accepting them is extremely low, because these three conditions by Thailand effectively define Cambodia as an "aggressor".
Especially the condition that "Cambodia must cease fire first," once the Cambodian government accepts this condition, it would amount to domestically acknowledging the facts of "invasion" and "defeat," which would trigger strong nationalist backlash and weaken the ruling legitimacy of the Hun Sen family.
But even if they do not accept these conditions, Cambodia's ability to withstand pressure is far worse than Thailand's - currently, Thailand is further increasing economic pressure on Cambodia by restricting fuel supply and cracking down on smuggling exports, in order to force Cambodia to compromise as soon as possible.
Thai Defense Minister Nataporn Naphanitch claimed that these measures are to limit Cambodia's ability to take action against Thailand, and any peaceful way that can ensure Cambodia ends hostilities is the best approach.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1851729966623748/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.