Thailand and Cambodia Begin Ceasefire Talks Amid Ongoing Border Violence

TDT | Manama

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More than 200,000 displaced as clashes enter fifth day; ASEAN, US, and China involved in mediation

Thailand and Cambodia have begun crucial ceasefire talks to end escalating border clashes that have already entered their fifth day, forcing over 200,000 people to flee their homes.

The violence, centered around a long-disputed border zone rich in ancient temples, has seen exchanges of artillery fire, rockets, and gunfire since last week.

In a sign of growing international concern, high-level delegations – including convoys bearing American and Chinese flags – arrived at the Malaysian Prime Minister’s official residence, Seri Perdana, on Monday afternoon. Malaysia, as the current chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is hosting and facilitating the negotiations.

Thailand’s acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, and Cambodia’s Prime Minister, Hun Manet, met earlier in the day at around 10 a.m. local time (0700 GMT), with helicopters hovering over the capital city of Putrajaya.

The talks come after an unexpected late-night call over the weekend from US President Donald Trump, who urged both Southeast Asian leaders to “quickly work out” a truce. US State Department representatives and a Chinese diplomatic team are also attending the peace discussions.

Despite the diplomatic push, tensions remain high on the ground. Both sides traded fresh accusations in the hours leading up to the meeting.

Thailand’s Phumtham claimed Cambodia was “not acting in good faith,” while Cambodian defence ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata accused Thailand of invading Cambodian territory for a fifth consecutive day, using heavy weaponry and deploying large numbers of troops.

The world now watches closely as regional and global powers rally behind hopes for a ceasefire and a lasting solution to one of Southeast Asia’s most volatile border disputes.