BANGKOK/KUALA LUMPUR – Cambodian and Thai officials are set to meet on Dec 24 to discuss the possible resumption of a ceasefire, following weeks of renewed fighting along their shared border. The talks come after a Special ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held in Kuala Lumpur, which appeared to offer a potential breakthrough in efforts to halt the violence.
The negotiations will take place under the framework of the General Border Committee (GBC), a long-established bilateral mechanism co-chaired by the defence ministers of both countries. The GBC is responsible for addressing security issues and managing tensions along the Cambodia–Thailand border.
Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan, speaking in his capacity as ASEAN chair, said the regional bloc welcomed discussions aimed at restoring calm. Reading from the ASEAN Chair’s statement, he confirmed that the GBC would convene on Dec 24 to discuss the implementation and verification of a ceasefire. ASEAN leaders also expressed hope that hostilities would de-escalate as soon as possible.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow stressed the importance of careful planning to ensure any ceasefire would be sustainable. He said both sides needed time to agree on detailed implementation measures so that the ceasefire could genuinely hold, rather than collapse under unresolved disagreements.
Border tensions between the two countries flared again in July before a temporary ceasefire was reached after five days of clashes. That ceasefire was later expanded into a broader peace agreement in October, brokered with support from the United States during the ASEAN Summit attended by US President Donald Trump.
However, Thailand suspended the peace deal on Nov 11, accusing Cambodia of laying new landmines along disputed border areas—an allegation that Phnom Penh has firmly denied. Thai officials have since expressed concerns that earlier international mediation efforts were rushed and did not fully reflect realities on the ground.
The renewed fighting, which began on Dec 8, has since escalated into air strikes and artillery exchanges. Cambodia’s Defence Ministry has accused Thai forces of continued aggression, including the use of F-16 fighter jets and shelling near populated areas such as Poipet in Banteay Meanchey province.
As the conflict entered its third week, regional and global powers have stepped up diplomatic efforts. China has taken on a more visible mediation role, dispatching its Special Envoy for Asian Affairs, Deng Xijun, on shuttle diplomacy visits to both Phnom Penh and Bangkok. Chinese officials have emphasized dialogue and an immediate ceasefire as the only viable path forward.
The human cost of the conflict continues to rise. Since Dec 8, at least 40 people have been killed, and more than 900,000 civilians from both countries have been displaced from their homes. Whether the Dec 24 talks can overcome deep-rooted distrust and halt the violence remains uncertain, but regional leaders view the meeting as a crucial step toward restoring peace.
