Pulls out of planned ceasefire talks

Thailand pulls out of planned ceasefire talks with Cambodia

BANGKOK: Thailand's defence minister has cancelled his planned trip to Cambodia on Wednesday for talks on a border ceasefire, an army spokesman said, in a setback to efforts to end the deadly fighting.

"We decided last night to cancel General Prawit (Wongsuwon's) trip to Phnom Penh today after some Cambodia media reported Thailand agreed to ceasefire talks after it admitted defeat and losses," said Colonel Sunsern Kaewkumnerd.

Eight Cambodian and five Thai troops have died in five days of heavy weapons fire on the two countries' disputed jungle frontier, prompting growing diplomatic pressure on the neighbours to end the conflict.

Both sides have accused each other of starting the clashes.

"We welcome talks on the condition that they stop firing first for a few days. We clearly informed Cambodia of this condition," Sunsern said.

~News courtesy of Channel Newsasia~