Exclusive-Thailand rejects mediation in Cambodia conflict, open to bilateral talks

Thailand and Cambodia exchange heavy artillery as fighting rages for a second day

BANGKOK (Reuters) -Thailand has rejected mediation efforts from third countries to end the ongoing conflict with Cambodia, insisting that Phnom Penh cease attacks and resolve the situation only through bilateral talks, its foreign ministry said on Friday.

The United States, China and Malaysia, which is the current chair of ASEAN regional bloc, have offered to facilitate dialogue but Bangkok is seeking a bilateral solution to the conflict, Thai foreign ministry spokesperson Nikorndej Balankura told Reuters.

“I don’t think we need any mediation from a third country yet,” Nikorndej said in an interview.

(Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um, Editing by Devjyot Ghoshal and Raju Gopalakrishnan)