KUALA LUMPUR – Southeast Asian diplomats convened for an emergency meeting Monday as regional tensions reached critical levels following renewed military confrontations between Thailand and Cambodia. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) facilitated the high-stakes dialogue in Malaysia’s capital, marking the second intervention this year to address violent border clashes between the member states.
The recent hostilities have effectively nullified a U.S.-brokered ceasefire agreement originally negotiated during the July conflict and formalized at October’s regional summit attended by President Donald Trump. The previous truce, achieved under significant American diplomatic pressure including threatened trade sanctions, mandated weapon withdrawals and demining operations along the disputed frontier.
International concern continues to mount as combat operations intensify. The U.S. State Department issued an official statement urging immediate cessation of hostilities, removal of heavy artillery, and full implementation of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords. The document specifically referenced mechanisms for humanitarian demining and border dispute resolution.
Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow confirmed his country’s commitment to constructive engagement, noting recent communications with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio regarding Thailand’s proposed ceasefire roadmap. Cambodian officials similarly expressed dedication to peaceful resolution through diplomatic channels.
The current conflict ignited December 8th following a border skirmish that injured two Thai personnel. Military engagements have since expanded to include Thai F-16 airstrikes and Cambodian BM-21 rocket barrages capable of launching 40 projectiles simultaneously. Official reports indicate dozens of combat fatalities and over 500,000 displaced civilians.
A particularly contentious issue involves alleged landmine deployments along the border. Thailand has accused Cambodia of laying new anti-personnel mines, resulting in serious injuries to Thai marines. Cambodian authorities maintain that any explosions result from remnants of their decades-long civil war. Thailand has announced formal protests to Cambodia and the Ottawa Convention chair regarding these allegations.