Military officials from Thailand and Cambodia began high-level talks on Wednesday (Dec. 24), aiming to end a recent surge in border violence that has claimed at least 86 lives over the past 16 days. The discussions mark a crucial step toward restoring a ceasefire after weeks of intense fighting along the 817-kilometre frontier that separates the two neighbors.
The meeting, convened at a border checkpoint near the southern end of the shared frontier, is set to last three days. It follows a special session in Kuala Lumpur earlier this week, where Southeast Asian foreign ministers attempted to salvage a truce initially brokered in October by ASEAN chair Malaysia and United States President Donald Trump.
Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, spokesperson for the Thai Defence Ministry, said the General Border Committee talks could pave the way for a meeting between the two countries’ defence ministers on Dec. 27, provided the initial discussions proceed smoothly. “If the secretariat meeting goes smoothly and leads to an agreement, then there will be a meeting between the defence ministers of the two countries on Dec. 27,” he told reporters.
Cambodian Defence Ministry spokeswoman Maly Socheata confirmed that the talks began at 4:30 p.m. local time (5:30 p.m. Singapore time) under the leadership of senior generals from both sides. She described the meeting as the most significant diplomatic effort since fighting resumed in early December, following separate, unsuccessful attempts by Malaysia, China, and the United States to broker a ceasefire.
The renewed clashes have erupted despite an enhanced ceasefire agreement reached in Malaysia in October, witnessed by Trump, which required both sides to withdraw troops and heavy weaponry from disputed areas, while also committing to joint demining efforts. Both Thailand and Cambodia have accused each other of violating the ceasefire and committing acts of aggression, particularly along forested regions near Laos and coastal provinces along the Gulf of Thailand.
According to Cambodian authorities, at least 21 civilians have died and more than 500,000 have been displaced since the fighting escalated. Thai authorities reported at least 65 fatalities, with over 150,000 people evacuated from affected areas.
A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department expressed Washington’s concern over the continued hostilities. “We strongly urge the immediate cessation of hostilities, the protection of civilians, and for both sides to fully implement the ceasefire and the other de-escalatory measures outlined in the Oct. 26 Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords,” the statement read. U.S. officials, including Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, remain in contact with Cambodian and Thai counterparts, as well as Malaysian mediators, to encourage a resolution.
Tensions along the border remain high. Cambodia’s Defence Ministry accused Thailand of deploying fighter jets to drop bombs in Banteay Meanchey province, describing the strikes as “brutal” and indiscriminate. Thailand, in turn, claimed that Cambodian forces continued shelling civilian areas in Sa Kaeo province, prompting Thai troops to respond.
The latest round of talks represents a fragile but critical effort to restore stability in a region long marked by territorial disputes and intermittent violence. Analysts note that the outcome of these discussions could determine whether the two nations return to prolonged hostilities or move toward lasting peace, with the humanitarian situation along the border remaining a pressing concern.
The coming days will be closely watched by the international community, with hopes that the talks can prevent further loss of life and begin the process of rebuilding trust between the neighbors after decades of conflict.
