 "Thai, Cambodian leaders to hold border peace talks in Malaysia after Trump’s intervention")
Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet will meet on Monday in Malaysia for peace talks over their border conflict.
Thailand and Cambodia are scheduled to meet on Monday in an effort to resolve ongoing deadly border clashes after US President Donald Trump warned that Washington would suspend trade deals with both countries unless the violence ends.
Jirayu Huangsap said Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will attend Monday’s talks in response to an invitation from Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim “to discuss peace efforts in the region.”
The spokesperson also said Phumtham’s Cambodian counterpart Hun Manet will also attend the talks, though this was not immediately confirmed by the Cambodian side. He added that Anwar was acting in his capacity as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, held on an annual rotating basis by its 10 members.
On Saturday, Trump posted on Truth Social that he had spoken with both leaders, indicating that the US would not pursue trade agreements with Thailand or Cambodia while hostilities persisted. He later announced that both sides agreed to negotiate a ceasefire.
Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet confirmed earlier on Sunday that his country is committed to pursuing an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire,” adding that Trump informed him Thailand had also agreed to stop attacks following discussions with Phumtham. Hun Manet said he has delegated Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn to coordinate with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and work directly with Thailand’s foreign minister to facilitate the ceasefire process.
Thailand has indicated cautious support for the ceasefire initiative. Phumtham expressed gratitude to Trump and stated that Thailand agrees in principle to a ceasefire, emphasizing the importance of “sincere intention” from Cambodia, according to the Thai Foreign Ministry. Phumtham also called for prompt bilateral talks to determine concrete measures for a peaceful settlement.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsBoth nations trade blame as shelling continues
The current wave of violence began Thursday following a land mine blast that injured five Thai soldiers. Each side has accused the other of sparking the conflict. Ambassadors have been recalled, and Thailand has shut its border crossings with Cambodia.
Despite growing calls for de-escalation, active fighting continued on Sunday in multiple parts of the contested region. Thai army spokesperson Col. Richa Suksowanont said Cambodian forces launched heavy artillery into Surin province, hitting civilian homes and targeting the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple, a long-disputed site. He said Thai forces returned fire with long-range artillery against Cambodian positions.
Col. Richa noted that while diplomatic efforts led by Trump are ongoing, “ceasefire on the battlefield will only take effect once Cambodia formally initiates negotiations.”
Thailand’s foreign ministry issued a sharp statement, accusing Cambodia of bad faith and repeated violations of human rights and international humanitarian law.
Cambodia, meanwhile, accused Thailand of escalating the situation. Defence Ministry spokesperson Lt. Gen. Maly Socheata claimed Thai forces had conducted large-scale incursions, including tank-led assaults, into Cambodian territory following artillery shelling.
“These actions completely derail any path toward peaceful dialogue and demonstrate a clear intention to escalate the conflict,” Socheata said.
Civilian toll rises as evacuations expand
Thailand reported one more soldier killed on Sunday, raising its death toll to 21, most of them civilians. Cambodia said it has lost 13 lives. Over 131,000 people have been displaced within Thailand, while more than 37,000 Cambodians have fled homes in three border provinces. Many border villages now lie abandoned, with schools and hospitals closed.
Among the evacuees is Pichayut Surasit, an air-conditioning technician who rushed back from Bangkok to his home in Surin province to ensure his family’s safety.
“I couldn’t focus on work after hearing the news,” he said from a local shelter now housing 6,000 people. “I just want peace so we can go home again.”
Nearby, Bualee Chanduang, a local vendor who fled with her family and pet rabbit, echoed the same hope: “I pray that both governments come to their senses and stop this war.”
UN, rights groups call for restraint
The UN Security Council has urged ASEAN to mediate an end to the crisis, while Human Rights Watch condemned reports of cluster munitions—prohibited under international law—being used in populated zones. The group called on both governments to prioritise civilian protection.
Tensions between Thailand and Cambodia over their 800-kilometre border have simmered for decades. While past flare-ups have generally been brief, the current escalation follows a deadly confrontation in May that led to the death of a Cambodian soldier and further strained diplomatic relations.
With inputs from agencies
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