Thailand and Cambodia Seek to End Ongoing Border Conflict

Mon Feb 02 2026 19:25:51 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Thailand's foreign minister announces upcoming talks with Cambodia to address escalating tensions and revive a ceasefire amid recent violent clashes.

In an effort to address the deadly conflict along the border, officials from Thailand and Cambodia will convene next week after weeks of violence that has left at least 41 dead and displaced nearly a million people. The border clashes reignited earlier this month despite a ceasefire brokered by the US in July. Thailand's foreign minister criticized the rushed nature of the past agreements, urging for a more substantial dialogue to establish a lasting peace.

Officials from Thailand and Cambodia will meet next week to discuss the possibility of reviving a ceasefire, Thailand's foreign minister said, as deadly border clashes entered a third week.

Both countries had signed a ceasefire earlier in July, brokered by US President Donald Trump. However, fighting broke out again earlier this month, with both countries blaming each other for the resurgence of hostilities.

On Monday, top officials from both countries met at a summit in Malaysia, marking their first face-to-face meeting since the renewal of violence. Thailand's Foreign Minister, Sihasak Phuangketkeow, stated that the earlier ceasefire was 'rushed,' noting it was signed under pressure from the US.

Phuangketkeow emphasized the need for thorough discussions to ensure that any new ceasefire agreement reflects the current situation on the ground. A military officials meeting is scheduled for December 24, which he deemed necessary before any further agreements can be reached.

Since the resurgence of conflict, at least 41 people have been killed, and nearly one million have been displaced, with the most recent clashes involving significant artillery exchanges along the 800 km (500-mile) border. Thailand has also conducted air strikes targeting Cambodian positions.

The situation has raised concerns within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with Malaysia's foreign minister calling for urgent dialogue among member states to address the crisis. Failures to contain the conflict have posed serious challenges to ASEAN's credibility as a unifying body.

China, in an effort to mediate, sent its special envoy for Asian affairs to Cambodia last week. Chinese officials have expressed intent to facilitate ongoing discussions to quell the violence between the two nations.

The current situation reflects a long-standing tension that has existed for over a century between Thailand and Cambodia, with clashes recurring sporadically throughout history.