Diplomats Meet to Halt Fighting Between Thailand and Cambodia

Mon Dec 22 2025 09:29:10 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

In a bid to restore peace, Southeast Asian diplomats gather to discuss a ceasefire as border clashes escalate, displacing nearly a million people.

Top diplomats from Southeast Asia are set to meet in Kuala Lumpur to address the ongoing and deadly border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia, which has resulted in at least 41 deaths and displaced around 900,000 individuals. The meeting aims to revive a previously brokered ceasefire and encourage peaceful negotiations while both nations continue to accuse each other of escalating tensions. The situation has drawn the attention of global powers like the US and China, who are also seeking to mediate an end to the 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.

This will be the first meeting between Thailand and Cambodia since fighting resumed on 8 December. 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. He stressed the importance of securing peace.

Cambodia has described the talks as vital for restoring peace, stability and good neighbourly relations, emphasizing the need for peaceful resolution. Meanwhile, Thailand set out its conditions for negotiations, including a ceasefire declaration from Cambodia.

Global powers are taking an interest, with both the US and China attempting to facilitate a new ceasefire. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has communicated with Thai officials, expressing hope for a resolution soon. Additionally, China's envoy reaffirmed Beijing's supportive role in dialogue facilitation.