Thai and Cambodian leaders are set to meet in Malaysia to discuss an end to ongoing hostilities, following significant pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump regarding a deadly border dispute that has resulted in at least 34 deaths and displaced over 168,000 people. Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, will attend the talks scheduled for Monday at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who aims to foster peace efforts in the region.
Phumtham’s Cambodian counterpart, Hun Manet, is also expected to participate in the discussions, although confirmation from the Cambodian side is pending. Anwar is acting in his role as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), a position that rotates annually among its ten member states.
On Saturday, Trump posted on Truth Social, stating he had spoken to the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia, warning that he would not proceed with trade agreements with either nation if the conflict persisted. He later announced that both sides had consented to meet and negotiate a ceasefire. Earlier on Sunday, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet declared his government’s commitment to pursue an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” delegating his deputy, Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, to coordinate subsequent steps with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and engage directly with Thailand’s foreign minister to execute the ceasefire.
Both Thailand and Cambodia have accused each other of escalating tensions, which intensified after a landmine explosion on Thursday injured five Thai soldiers. In reaction, both nations recalled their ambassadors, and Thailand temporarily closed its border crossings with Cambodia. Clashes persisted over the weekend along parts of the contested border, with mutual accusations of renewed shelling and troop movements.
Cambodian Defense Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata accused Thai forces of exacerbating the situation with artillery bombardments on Cambodian territory and carrying out a “large-scale incursion” involving tanks and ground troops in various locations. The UN Security Council has urged ASEAN, as a regional coalition, to mediate peace efforts between the two nations. Additionally, Human Rights Watch condemned the reported deployment of cluster munitions-banned by international law-in populated areas and called on both governments to ensure the protection of civilians.
Original Source: https://theshillongtimes.com/2025/07/28/thai-cambodian-leaders-to-meet-in-malaysia-over-border-dispute/
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Publish Date: 2025-07-28 04:40:00
