SURIN – Leaders from Thailand and Cambodia are convening in Malaysia to urgently address ongoing and deadly border conflicts that have persisted for five days, despite growing international appeals for peace.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai are set to meet on Monday afternoon. The discussions will take place at the official residence of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is facilitating these talks as the head of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
The clashes began last Thursday when a landmine explosion injured five Thai soldiers along the border. Each side has accused the other of initiating these hostilities, which have resulted in the deaths of at least 35 individuals and forced over 260,000 people to flee their homes. In response, both nations have recalled their ambassadors, and Thailand has closed all border crossings with Cambodia, except for allowing Cambodian migrant workers to return to their country.
Troops from both sides reported ongoing fighting Monday along border areas. Gunfire could be heard as dawn broke in Samrong in Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province, Associated Press reporters covering the conflict said.
Anwar said late Sunday that both sides would present their conditions for peace but “what is important is immediate ceasefire.”
“I hope this can work,” Anwar was quoted as saying by Malaysian national news agency Bernama. “Although it’s not as bad as many other countries, we have to put a stop (to the violence).”
The meeting followed direct pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who has warned that the United States may not proceed with trade deals with either country if hostilities continue.
Before departing for Kuala Lumpur, Phumtham told reporters in Bangkok that the U.S. and China representatives will also attend as observers. He said the key focus would be on an immediate ceasefire, but noted trust could be an issue as Cambodia has not stopped its strikes.
“We have informed that we don’t have trust in Cambodia. All they have done reflect that they are not sincere in solving this problem. So they have to show the detail how they will do to prove their sincerity,” he said.
The violence marks a rare instance of open military confrontation between ASEAN member states, a 10-nation regional bloc that has prided itself on non-aggression, peaceful dialogue and economic cooperation.
In a statement Monday, ASEAN foreign ministers reiterated concern over the rising death toll, destruction of public properties and displacement of a large number of people along the disputed border areas. They urged the two countries to resolve their disputes through negotiations and expressed support for efforts to find a middle ground during Monday’s talks.
The conflict also drew the attention of Pope Leo XIV. At the Vatican on Sunday, the pontiff said he was praying for all those affected by war in the world, including “for those affected by the clashes on the border between Thailand and Cambodia, especially the children and displaced families.”
At an evacuation shelter in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province far away from the border, Ron Mao, 56, prays for a ceasefire deal during the leaders’ meeting Monday. She and her family fled their home a kilometer (0.6 mile) away from the front line when fighting broke out Thursday. They took refuge in a shelter but moved again to another camp further away after hearing artillery shelling.
“I don’t want to see this war happen. It’s very difficult and I don’t want to run around like this,” she said, “When I heard our Prime Minister go to negotiate for peace, I would be very happy if they reached the deal as soon as possible, so that I and my children can return home as soon as possible.”
The 800-kilometer (500-mile) frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades, but past confrontations have been limited and brief. The latest tensions erupted in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand’s domestic politics.
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Eileen reported from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and Cheang from Samrong, Cambodia. Associated Press writers Chalida Ekvitthayavechnukul and Grant Peck in Bangkok contributed to this report.
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