Thai, Cambodian leaders hold ceasefire talks in Malaysia

Ceasefire talks between Thailand and Cambodia began on July 28 in Malaysia as deadly border clashes between the two Southeast Asian nations entered a fifth consecutive day, despite growing international pressure to end the violence.

Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet met at the official residence of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Putrajaya. Anwar, who currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), is hosting the emergency discussions aimed at ending the escalating conflict, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media. 

The talks come amid intense fighting that has killed at least 35 people and forced more than 270,000 residents on both sides of the Thailand-Cambodia border to flee their homes.

The United States and China, two key regional players, also had ambassadors present at the meeting, a Malaysian government official confirmed to Reuters on July 28.

In a post on X earlier in the day, Hun Manet stated that the goal of the meeting is “to achieve an immediate ceasefire in the conflict with Thailand.”

However, Phumtham expressed skepticism about Cambodia’s intentions before departing for Malaysia. “We do not believe Cambodia is acting in good faith, based on their actions in addressing the issue,” he told reporters in Bangkok. “They need to demonstrate genuine intent, and we will assess that during the meeting.”

Despite the high-level diplomacy, clashes were reported in multiple locations along the disputed Thai-Cambodian border just hours before the talks commenced.

By Sabina Mammadli