Thailand’s defence minister is set to join ongoing talks with Cambodia on Saturday (Dec. 27) that could pave the way for a truce, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul announced on Friday, as violent clashes along the border continue for a third consecutive week.
The talks come after a breakdown of the previous ceasefire in early December, which has left at least 98 people dead and displaced more than half a million residents in the border regions. Officials from both countries have been engaged in negotiations at a border crossing since Wednesday, seeking to restore peace and stabilize the increasingly tense situation.
Anutin said that if the Thai defence minister can reach an agreement with his Cambodian counterpart, the two nations will formalize a deal in line with a prior pact brokered with the assistance of former U.S. President Donald Trump, following a round of clashes in July.
“What is important is that both of us have to keep the promises that both will not threaten, offend, and instigate, and to reduce hostility between the two countries,” Anutin told reporters in Bangkok, emphasizing the need for mutual adherence to any future agreement.
A spokeswoman for Cambodia’s defence ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
The renewed conflict highlights the fragility of past ceasefires between the two Southeast Asian neighbours. The July truce, later expanded into a broader agreement in October, was intended to provide a framework for ending hostilities. However, both sides have accused each other of violating the terms, leading to the latest escalation.
The fighting has extended across multiple areas along the 817-kilometre border, ranging from forested inland regions near Laos to coastal provinces, underscoring the long-standing territorial disputes between the two nations. These border disagreements date back decades, with both sides asserting claims over contested areas.
Regional leaders have attempted to mediate the conflict, with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, chair of the ASEAN bloc, and former U.S. President Trump both seeking to halt the violence without success. More recently, China has joined the diplomatic efforts, sending its special envoy for Asian affairs, Deng Xijun, for talks in Bangkok and Phnom Penh in an attempt to pressure both countries to end the hostilities.
“I hope that this time will be the last time to sign such an agreement, so that there will be peace in the area and people can return to their homes,” Anutin said, expressing optimism for a lasting resolution.
The humanitarian toll of the fighting has been severe. Thousands of families have been forced to flee their homes, with communities facing shortages of food, medical supplies, and shelter. Local authorities in both countries have scrambled to provide assistance to displaced residents, but ongoing clashes continue to hamper relief efforts.
Analysts warn that without a binding and verifiable truce, the conflict risks further escalation, potentially destabilizing the broader region. The strategic location of the border, close to important trade routes and economically significant areas, adds further urgency to diplomatic efforts.
As the Thai and Cambodian defence ministers prepare to meet on Saturday, the international community will be closely watching whether they can reach an agreement that halts the fighting. Success would mark a critical step toward restoring stability along one of Southeast Asia’s most contentious borders, while failure could prolong suffering for thousands of civilians caught in the crossfire.
