Thailand and Cambodia Signal Fresh Talks as Border Fighting Drags On

Picture Credit: Fortune

Thailand and Cambodia are preparing for renewed discussions next week as efforts intensify to revive a ceasefire amid ongoing border clashes that have now stretched into a third week. Thailand’s foreign minister confirmed that senior military officials from both sides are expected to meet on December 24, a step seen as crucial before any new truce can be finalized.

The renewed diplomatic push follows the collapse of a ceasefire agreed earlier this year, which had been brokered with support from the United States. That agreement, signed in July, failed to hold as fighting resumed in December, with Bangkok and Phnom Penh each accusing the other of violating its terms. At least 41 people have been killed since the conflict reignited, while nearly one million civilians have been displaced along the disputed frontier.

Speaking after a regional summit in Malaysia, Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow suggested that the earlier ceasefire had been rushed and lacked sufficient groundwork. He indicated that external pressure, particularly from Washington, played a role in accelerating the agreement, leaving key operational issues unresolved. This time, he said, negotiations must better reflect realities on the ground to ensure any ceasefire is sustainable.

The latest fighting has involved heavy artillery exchanges along the 800-kilometre border, with Thailand also carrying out air strikes against Cambodian positions. The violence represents the most serious armed conflict between ASEAN member states since the bloc was founded in 1967, raising concerns about regional stability and the organisation’s ability to manage internal disputes.

Malaysia, which currently plays a mediating role, has urged ASEAN members to treat the situation as an urgent priority. Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan warned that continued escalation could have far-reaching consequences for civilians and regional security, calling for collective action to prevent further deterioration.

Beyond Southeast Asia, both the United States and China have stepped in to help defuse tensions. China’s special envoy for Asian affairs recently visited Phnom Penh, reaffirming Beijing’s willingness to facilitate dialogue. Chinese officials have confirmed that mediation efforts are ongoing, with further details expected to be released in the coming weeks.

The roots of the Thailand–Cambodia dispute stretch back more than a century, but tensions surged earlier this year following the death of a Cambodian soldier in May. The conflict escalated sharply in late July after a rocket attack into Thailand prompted retaliatory air strikes, triggering days of intense fighting. As diplomacy resumes, regional and global powers alike are watching closely to see whether this next round of talks can finally bring lasting calm to the border.