Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to hold a meeting of defence officials this week as cross-border clashes intensify along their shared frontier. Regional leaders, including ASEAN representatives, are urging both countries to exercise “maximum restraint” and return to dialogue to prevent further civilian casualties.

Renewed Violence Along the Border

The announcement comes after a series of violent incidents along the 817km (508-mile) Thailand-Cambodia border, which have displaced over 250,000 people in Thailand’s Surin province alone. Both sides have accused each other of initiating attacks. Thailand claims Cambodia fired dozens of rockets into Thai territory, while Cambodia reports Thai fighter jets bombing areas in Siem Reap and Preah Vihear provinces.

The clashes have been particularly severe in forested regions near Laos and along the Gulf of Thailand coast. Both militaries have engaged in daily exchanges of artillery and rocket fire since the collapse of a previous truce, raising fears of a protracted conflict.

Planned Defence Talks

Thailand’s Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow confirmed that the defence discussions will take place on Wednesday in Chanthaburi, Thailand, under the framework of the bilateral border committee. He emphasized that a ceasefire is measured by actions rather than announcements:

“Our position is a ceasefire does not come with an announcement, but must come from actions.”

The upcoming talks are expected to cover implementation details, verification mechanisms, and measures to prevent further escalation.

ASEAN and International Response

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) convened a special meeting in Kuala Lumpur, chaired by Malaysia, to urge both sides to de-escalate. ASEAN’s statement called on Thailand and Cambodia to:

• Show maximum restraint
• Cease hostilities immediately
• Restore mutual trust and confidence
• Allow displaced civilians to safely return home

US President Donald Trump also supported the initial truce earlier in the year, highlighting international concern over the growing humanitarian impact of the border clashes.

Humanitarian Impact

The renewed fighting has caused massive civilian displacement and significant damage to homes, particularly in Thailand’s Surin province. Reports indicate that thousands of families are living in temporary shelters and face shortages of basic necessities such as food, water, and medical aid.

Despite the violence, Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior expressed optimism that Thailand will demonstrate sincerity in implementing the ceasefire, though officials caution that the path to a lasting peace remains uncertain.

Outlook

The upcoming defence meeting represents the latest attempt to restore calm and prevent the situation from spiraling further. Analysts warn that continued escalation could have broader regional implications, including economic disruptions and heightened instability in Southeast Asia.