ASEAN Diplomats Convene to Broker Peace Amid Renewed Thailand-Cambodia Clashes

Mon Dec 22 2025 10:43:52 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Fighting between Thailand and Cambodia has escalated, prompting Southeast Asian diplomats to meet in hopes of restoring peace and ending the humanitarian crisis caused by recent conflicts.

In a push to resolve the ongoing conflict between Thailand and Cambodia that has resulted in substantial loss of life and mass displacement, Southeast Asia's diplomats are set to meet in Malaysia. The discussions aim to revive a ceasefire agreement failed to hold following a spike in violence earlier this month. The meeting underscores regional efforts to mediate tensions exacerbated by over a century of historical disputes.

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) alongside US President Donald Trump.

This meeting will mark the first dialogue between the two nations since violence escalated on December 8, with both countries accusing each other of igniting recent hostilities.

The persistent conflict has historical roots dating back more than a century, following the establishment of borders after the French colonial rule in Cambodia.

Artillery exchanges have recently intensified along the 800-kilometer border, with Thailand also conducting airstrikes targeting positions in Cambodia.

As the diplomats prepare for talks, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim expressed cautious optimism, emphasizing the necessity for peace. Both sides, however, seem to have conflicting preconditions for negotiations.

Cambodia is emphasizing peaceful resolutions, whereas Thailand insists on a declaration of ceasefire from its neighbor to move forward.

Efforts from international powers like the US—via Secretary of State Marco Rubio—and China are also unfolding, as both nations aim to play a constructive role in cooling tensions and facilitating dialogue.