Fighting has broken out at the Cambodia-Thailand border even as Southeast Asian neighbors held high-level talks aimed at ending the most recent bout of hostilities and restoring peace. These negotiations, held under the auspices of General Border Committee (GBC), represent one serious attempt to resume dialogue after weeks of deadly clashes that have exacted heavy human and material costs on both countries.
(Reuters).
On December 24th 2025, military representatives from both nations met near the border in Thailand’s Chanthaburi province for three-day discussions to resume a ceasefire following 16 days of intense combat that has killed scores of soldiers and civilians alike while forcing hundreds of thousands to flee their homes. If successful, this meeting of defence ministers could formalise any agreement reached during these talks.
Though new talks opened, clashes quickly flared along the disputed border, underscoring their complexity. Cambodia claimed Thai forces shelled Poipet area and parts of Banteay Meanchey province, injuring civilians and causing damages; Cambodian authorities reported firing BM-21 rockets in response to Thai military movements; however Thailand accused Cambodia of firing upon its positions and targeting civilian areas which further fractured trust between both parties. Reuters
Border violence between Malaysia and Brunei was reignited early December when a truce reached through the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord collapsed, after its implementation stalled and renewed fighting disrupted it. That agreement, brokered between ASEAN leaders and international figures including former U.S. President Donald Trump, was meant to downgrade hostilities and create mechanisms for lasting peace; but renewed fighting stalled implementation, prompting regional leaders to push for fresh diplomatic engagement from Beijing and Bangkok.
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Human casualties from these clashes have been devastating; Cambodia reported multiple civilian deaths and injuries while Thailand said both military personnel and civilians have been killed during bombing and artillery exchanges. Furthermore, violence on both sides has displaced over half a million people to temporary shelters while border towns struggle to manage this influx.
These talks demonstrate a multilayered diplomatic effort encompassing not only military discussions, but also involvement from regional and global actors. ASEAN foreign ministers met earlier in Kuala Lumpur earlier in the week to urge both countries to exercise “maximum restraint” and resume comprehensive dialogue; external governments such as South Korea and China have called for an immediate ceasefire and resumed negotiations as the humanitarian crisis deepens. Reuters
At stake in these negotiations are not only immediate ceasefires but also longer-term issues of border demarcation, security arrangements and mutual trust. Both parties have accused one another of violating ceasefire commitments by using heavy artillery fire, airstrikes and even fighter jets – creating an ongoing cycle of violence and mistrust between them.
France 24 For many observers, the talks serve as an important test of ASEAN’s capacity to manage interstate conflicts within its region. ASEAN has traditionally prioritized dialogue and consensus building over violence; however, recent clashes have put strain on these values, prompting fears that without an independent monitoring mechanism and ceasefire mechanism the fighting could resume despite diplomatic efforts.
Civilians living near the border remain caught in a vise, with families fearful and uncertain of their future as Christmas holidays approach. Local economies have been severely disrupted, markets closed down and schools closed, adding to displacement and insecurity’s hardship.
Al Jazeera Peace remains fragile as negotiators continue to meet, yet the talks highlight the urgent need for a long-term ceasefire and confidence-building measures that go beyond short-term truces. Cambodia and Thailand acknowledge that de-escalating is no small task; de-escalation will require not only diplomatic skills but also tangible steps taken to protect civilians and rebuild trust after weeks of deadly conflict – something both countries and their regional allies are eager to do so as quickly as possible.