Cambodia and Thailand defence officers to fulfill to debate truce, Thai international minister says

[ad_1] ASEAN ministers search to revive ceasefire brokered by Malaysia, US Cambodia-Thailand assembly to happen on December 24 at border Thailand desires 'true' ceasefire with commitments, implementation plan, minister says KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 22 (Reuters) - Defence officers from Thailand and Cambodia will meet on December 24 to debate the potential for resuming a ceasefire between the 2 international locations, Thailand's prime diplomat mentioned on Monday, as border combating entered a 3rd week.

The choice was taken on Monday throughout a particular assembly in Kuala Lumpur of Southeast Asian international ministers, who had been searching for to salvage a truce first brokered by ASEAN chair Malaysia and U.S. President Donald Trump after a earlier spherical of clashes in July. Join <a data-testid="Link" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/asean-seek-resolution-thailand-cambodia-conflict-with-malaysia-meeting-2025-12-21/undefined?location=article-paragraph&redirectUrl=%2Fworld%2Fasia-pacific%2Fasean-seek-resolution-thailand-cambodia-conflict-with-malaysia-meeting-2025-12-21%2F" class="text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC">here.

The 2 international locations agreed to carry talks utilizing their Normal Border Committee, a longtime bilateral mechanism, with Thailand proposing that it takes place on the border line within the Thai province of Chanthaburi, International Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow informed a briefing in Kuala Lumpur.

Cambodia's defence ministry didn't instantly reply to a request for remark.

Sihasak mentioned Thailand wished a "true ceasefire" with a agency dedication from Cambodia and an in depth implementation plan, including that de-mining was vital to maneuver the method ahead.

"A ceasefire can not simply be declared, it wants a dialogue," he mentioned.

FIERCE FIGHTING The assembly of the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations adopted two weeks of fierce combating that has killed at the least 80 individuals and initially displaced greater than half one million.

The regional peace push comes because the U.S. and China pursue separate diplomatic efforts to finish the battle, with no indicators of success up to now. Sihasak mentioned neither america nor China had been concerned within the choice for the 2 international locations to renew discussions later this week, including it was about Thailand and Cambodia "working issues out".

Bangkok and Phnom Penh every accuse the opposite of aggression and strikes that led to the <a data-testid="Link" referrerpolicy="no-referrer-when-downgrade" href="https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/thailand-halt-implementation-ceasefire-deal-with-cambodia-will-inform-washington-2025-11-11/" class="text-module__text__0GDob text-module__inherit-color__PhuPF text-module__inherit-font__1P1hv text-module__inherit-size__EyiQW link-module__link__INqxZ link-module__underline_default__-okuC">breakdown of an enhanced ceasefire agreed in October in Malaysia in Trump's presence, throughout which they dedicated to demining and withdrawal of troops and heavy weapons. Heavy exchanges of fireside have occurred in a number of places alongside their 817-km (508-mile) land border, from forested inland areas close to Laos to coastal provinces. Clashes flared once more on Monday, with either side buying and selling accusations of aggression.

'WE MUST INTENSIFY TRUST-BUILDING' Monday's gathering was the primary face-to-face assembly involving the 2 governments because the combating resumed on December 8. In opening the assembly, Malaysia's international minister urged the bloc to play a extra forceful function in halting the battle.

"ASEAN should do no matter is critical to keep up regional peace and stability," Mohamad Hasan mentioned.

"Our purpose goes past de-escalating the strain. We should intensify trust-building among the many conflicting events and supply the horizons for dialogue regardless of the prevailing variations."

Cambodia's defence ministry on Monday mentioned Thailand had violated its sovereignty with extra "armed aggression" and vowed to defend what it mentioned was its territory "at any price".

Thailand accused Cambodia of searching for to fireside rockets on a border city and mentioned one other soldier had misplaced a leg to a landmine. Thailand has accused Cambodia of laying new mines in violation of its worldwide treaty commitments, an allegation Phnom Penh has rejected. Reporting by Rozanna Latiff; Extra reporting by Ashley Tang and Mandy Leong in Kuala Lumpur and Chayut Setboonsarng and Panu Wongcha-um in Bangkok; Modifying by David Stanway, William Mallard, Martin Petty and Saad Sayeed