ASEAN Diplomats Gather in Malaysia to Address Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes

Mon Dec 22 2025 09:20:35 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a bid to resolve the ongoing violence along the Thailand-Cambodia border, ASEAN diplomats are set to convene in Malaysia. The clashes have resulted in significant casualties and displacement, prompting urgent discussions for a ceasefire.

Amid escalating tensions at the Thailand-Cambodia border, Southeast Asian diplomats will meet in Malaysia to seek an end to the conflict that has killed at least 41 individuals and displaced nearly 900,000. The discussions aim to revive a halted ceasefire agreement while addressing the responsibilities of both countries for their roles in the resurgence of violence.

South East Asia's top diplomats are set to meet Monday in Malaysia to end deadly border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia that have killed at least 41 people and displaced close to one million others.

They will seek to revive a ceasefire that was brokered in July by Malaysia as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) and US President Donald Trump in July.

This will be the first meeting between Thailand and Cambodia since fighting resumed on December 8. Both countries have blamed each other for the fresh hostilities.

The conflict dates back more than a century, when the borders of the two nations were drawn after the French occupation of Cambodia.

The most recent fighting has seen the exchange of artillery fire along the 800km (500-mile) border. Thailand has also launched air strikes targeting Cambodian positions.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who presided over the signing of the July ceasefire alongside Trump, expressed cautious optimism about the upcoming meeting in Kuala Lumpur.

Our duty is to present the facts, but more importantly, to press upon them that it is imperative for them to secure peace, he emphasized last week.

Cambodia has reiterated that the focus of the talks is to restore peace, stability and good neighbourly relations and that disputes should be settled peacefully.

Thailand views the meeting as a significant opportunity but insists on conditions such as a declaration of ceasefire from Cambodia before proceeding.

Efforts for mediation have also seen involvement from the US and China. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed hope for a new ceasefire agreement at the start of the week. China has also committed to facilitating dialogue between the two nations.