South East Asian bloc to meet in bid to end Thailand-Cambodia conflict

Tuesday, December 23, 2025 -Southeast Asian foreign ministers have convened in Kuala Lumpur this week in an urgent bid to stop escalating border clashes between Thailand and Cambodia that have killed dozens and displaced hundreds of thousands of civilians. 

The meeting, hosted by Malaysia as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), brings together diplomats from the region with the goal of reviving a ceasefire and de-escalating hostilities that reignited earlier this month after a fragile truce collapsed. Renewed fighting has caused significant civilian suffering, heightened tensions, and prompted strong international concern as ASEAN pushes for restraint and urgent action to halt the violence.

At the core of the talks is the effort to restore and strengthen a ceasefire framework that previously faltered. ASEAN foreign ministers issued a chair’s statement welcoming discussions on resuming a cessation of hostilities and emphasized the need for both sides to exercise “maximum restraint” while working toward lasting peace. 

Officials also agreed that the General Border Committee (GBC) — a bilateral mechanism established by Thailand and Cambodia — will meet on December 24 to discuss implementation and verification of a ceasefire, showing that diplomatic efforts are moving from broad regional engagement to concrete negotiations.

Despite this push, the reality on the ground remains volatile, with clashes continuing along the shared border and deep mistrust between Bangkok and Phnom Penh over ceasefire violations and military activities. ASEAN’s involvement — backed by regional leaders calling for peaceful resolution and dialogue — marks a critical moment in slowing the bloodshed and preventing further humanitarian fallout. 

The bloc’s intervention reflects both the urgency of calming a dangerous conflict between two of its own members and the broader imperative to maintain stability in Southeast Asia amid rising geopolitical and local pressures.