ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meet in Kuala Lumpur to Address Thailand-Cambodia Border Clashes

Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) met on Monday in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to discuss the ongoing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia amid renewed clashes.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Hasan stressed that the regional bloc “must do whatever is necessary to maintain regional peace and stability,” according to Bernama news agency, and expressed “deep sadness” over civilian casualties resulting from the fighting.

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told reporters that Bangkok has proposed the two militaries “meet as soon as possible,” with the meeting scheduled under the General Border Committee framework of both nations on December 24.

Earlier, the Cambodian Defense Ministry reported that Thai forces fired three M79 grenades into a civilian area in Tuol Pongro, Banteay Meanchey province, raising civilian deaths to 20, according to the daily Khmer Times. Meanwhile, the Thai army accused Cambodian forces of firing artillery and grenades in the Pha Mo E Dang and Phu Makua areas, as reported by The Nation.

The two countries had signed a peace agreement in October at the ASEAN Summit in Kuala Lumpur, attended by US President Donald Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. However, the accord was later suspended after Thai soldiers were seriously injured in a landmine explosion in a border province.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Hasan called on both sides to “undertake full and effective implementation” of the peace accord.

According to official reports, 21 Thai soldiers and one civilian have been killed in ongoing clashes, while Cambodia’s Interior Ministry reported 20 civilian deaths and 79 injuries. Thailand also reported an additional 33 civilian deaths as “collateral effects of the situation.”

Separately, China urged Cambodia and Thailand to “quickly achieve a ceasefire and restore peace” along the disputed border.