Hostilities between Cambodia and Thailand continued over the weekend despite international calls for a ceasefire and reports of upcoming peace talks. The conflict, which began last Thursday along contested border areas, has resulted in at least 23 fatalities and displaced over 150,000 people.
A spokesperson for the Thai Prime Minister’s office confirmed that acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai would meet with Cambodian leader Hun Manet in Malaysia on Monday. The talks, hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, are intended to de-escalate tensions and restore regional stability.
Despite earlier social media statements suggesting an “immediate ceasefire,” both nations launched fresh attacks over the weekend. The Thai military reported Cambodian forces had targeted civilian and military sites, prompting retaliatory strikes with long-range artillery. Cambodia, in turn, accused Thailand of initiating the violence and condemned what it described as “deliberate acts of aggression.”
The conflict, rooted in longstanding territorial disputes dating back to colonial-era boundaries, has intensified since May following several deadly incidents. Fighting has now spread across multiple provinces, including Trat in Thailand and Pursat in Cambodia, and both sides have accused each other of violating international law, including the alleged use of landmines and cluster munitions.
The United Nations, Malaysia, and China have called for immediate restraint and a peaceful resolution. Meanwhile, evacuation efforts continue as thousands of civilians seek shelter from ongoing shelling and rocket fire.