Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to hold a meeting of defense officials on December 24 to discuss resuming a months-old ceasefire, as fighting along their disputed border enters its third consecutive week, leaving at least 80 people dead. The announcement comes after a special meeting of ASEAN foreign ministers in Kuala Lumpur, aimed at reviving a truce first brokered by ASEAN chair Malaysia and former U.S. President Donald Trump following previous clashes in July 2025.

Escalating Border Conflict

The conflict between Thailand and Cambodia has involved daily exchanges of rockets and artillery along their 817-kilometer (508-mile) border. Fighting has spread from forested regions near Laos to the coastal provinces of the Gulf of Thailand, creating widespread displacement and humanitarian challenges.

ASEAN ministers urged both countries to exercise maximum restraint and take immediate steps to halt the violence. The planned meeting of the General Border Committee, a long-standing bilateral mechanism, is expected to focus on ceasefire implementation and verification.

International Involvement and Diplomatic Efforts

Former President Donald Trump, speaking from his Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, described the situation as “in pretty good shape,” reiterating his role in brokering previous truces. Meanwhile, China’s special envoy for Asian affairs, Deng Xijun, has been engaging with officials in Bangkok and Phnom Penh to encourage de-escalation.

Despite this, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow emphasized that the bilateral talks are a decision between Thailand and Cambodia, not mediated by the U.S. or China. He stressed the need for a “true ceasefire” with a detailed implementation plan and firm commitment from Cambodia.

Ongoing Disputes and Landmine Concerns

Both Thailand and Cambodia continue to accuse each other of aggression and violations of the enhanced ceasefire agreed in October 2025 in Malaysia, which included commitments to demining and withdrawing heavy weaponry from contested areas.

• Thailand has expressed outrage over new landmines allegedly laid by Cambodia, adding to the country’s longstanding challenges with mine clearance.
• Cambodia has accused Thailand of violating its sovereignty with military actions, pledging to defend its territory “at any cost.”
• Both sides have reported intermittent artillery attacks, drone strikes, and air raids, escalating tensions further.

ASEAN’s Role and Regional Stability

The December 22 ASEAN meeting marked the first face-to-face gathering of the two governments since fighting resumed on December 8, reflecting the bloc’s increasing engagement in managing inter-state conflicts. Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan called for intensified trust-building and dialogue, emphasizing the need for ASEAN to go beyond de-escalation and provide a framework for sustained peace despite prevailing differences.

The upcoming border talks on December 24 represent the most significant step toward restoring a truce since hostilities resumed, offering a potential pathway to de-escalation after weeks of deadly clashes.