According to the reports on Monday (28 July), Thailand and Cambodia have begun high-level ceasefire talks in Malaysia following five days of intense border clashes—the deadliest in over a decade—that have killed at least 35 people and displaced more than 270,000. The meeting is being held at the official residence of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya and includes both Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai. The talks are also attended by ambassadors from the United States and China, underscoring the global concern over regional stability in Southeast Asia.
Tensions remain high along the 817-kilometer disputed border, with both sides reporting continued skirmishes even as negotiations begin. The conflict centers around control of historic temple sites, notably the 11th-century Preah Vihear complex. While Cambodia insists it is committed to peace and has denied targeting civilians, Thailand accuses Phnom Penh of insincerity and violating international law, citing recent actions that allegedly endangered Thai civilians and disrupted efforts for a peaceful resolution.
The United States and China have thrown their support behind Malaysia’s mediation efforts, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirming Washington’s involvement in the peace process. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet credited former U.S. President Donald Trump for initiating the talks, stating on X that both he and Phumtham endorsed the plan at Trump’s urging. Meanwhile, Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim emphasized the urgency of halting the violence, noting that both governments requested his leadership in facilitating a truce through ASEAN’s platform.
Historical context plays a key role in the conflict, as disputes over temple ownership have flared for decades, particularly around the UNESCO-listed Preah Vihear site. A 1962 ruling by the International Court of Justice awarded the temple to Cambodia, but Thailand never fully accepted the court’s jurisdiction. Renewed tensions began in May 2025 with the killing of a Cambodian soldier and escalated rapidly in July. With distrust running deep on both sides, the involvement of neutral parties like Malaysia and global powers offers a rare opportunity for de-escalation.
References
Thailand Cambodia leaders meet in Malaysia for tense border truce talks amid deadly clashes
Ceasefire talks begin as Cambodia calls for peace, Thailand questions motives
