ASEAN Diplomats Gather to Address Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes

Mon Dec 22 2025 09:55:06 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a critical meeting in Malaysia, South East Asian diplomats aim to resolve renewed hostilities between Thailand and Cambodia, which have resulted in significant casualties and displacement.

Top diplomats from Southeast Asia will convene in Malaysia to address the ongoing conflict at the Thailand-Cambodia border. The clashes, which have left at least 41 dead and nearly one million displaced, reignited after a ceasefire was previously brokered in July. The Malaysian Prime Minister expresses cautious optimism ahead of the talks, seeking to restore peace and stability.

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.

This will be the first meeting between Thailand and Cambodia since fighting resumed on 8 December, with both nations blaming each other for the recent escalation.

The conflict dates back over a century, following the drawing of borders after the French occupation of Cambodia.

Recent hostilities have included artillery exchanges along the 800km (500-mile) border and air strikes by Thailand targeting Cambodian positions.

Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who oversaw the signing of the July ceasefire alongside Trump, expressed cautious optimism for 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 stated last week.

Cambodia's officials are focused on restoring peace and stability, advocating for a resolution through peaceful means, while Thailand insists on conditions for negotiations, including a declaration of ceasefire from Cambodia.

Efforts for mediation are also being bolstered by the United States and China, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio aiming for a new ceasefire agreement by early next week. China's envoy for Asian affairs has also reaffirmed a commitment to facilitate dialogue between the two nations.