Thailand and Cambodia: A Step Towards Peace?

Thailand's defence minister is set to join talks with Cambodia this weekend. The goal? To stop the fighting between these two Southeast Asian neighbors. The clashes have been going on for weeks, and it's not the first time they've had this problem. Back in July, a deal was made with the help of former U. S. President Donald Trump. But that deal didn't last long. Now, both sides are talking again. The Thai prime minister said that if the defence ministers can agree, they'll sign a deal. The deal would mean both countries promise not to threaten or attack each other. But it's not just Thailand and Cambodia trying to solve this. Other countries, like Malaysia and China, have also been involved. Malaysia's prime minister and China's special envoy have been talking to both sides. But so far, the fighting hasn't stopped.The conflict started again in early December. Since then, at least 98 people have been killed, and over half a million have been forced to leave their homes. The fighting has spread from the forests near Laos to the coastal areas. Thailand and Cambodia have been arguing over their border for a long time. The border is 817 kilometers long, and they can't agree on who owns which part. This isn't just about land; it's about people's lives and homes. The Thai prime minister hopes this time will be the last time they have to sign a peace deal. He wants peace to return to the area so people can go back to their homes. But will this time be different? Only time will tell.