Leaders from Thailand and Cambodia are set to meet in Malaysia on Monday in an attempt to ease the deadly border conflict, even as both sides continue to blame each other for fresh artillery strikes in disputed territories.
According to media reports, citing Malaysian authorities, Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai will lead Bangkok’s delegation for the negotiations, while Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet is expected to take part in the talks.
Malaysia, which currently chairs the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), has stepped in to mediate the crisis that has claimed more than 30 lives in recent days, including civilians from both countries.
The situation deteriorated after both armies exchanged artillery fire along contested stretches of their 817-kilometre shared border, the media reported. Last week, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim called for an immediate ceasefire and urged both sides to resolve the matter through dialogue.
Despite early signs of a breakthrough following US President Donald Trump’s separate calls to both leaders appealing for calm, fighting resumed just hours later.
Cambodia confirmed its backing for Trump’s appeal, but Thailand said talks could not move forward while Cambodian troops were allegedly targeting Thai civilians — a charge that Phnom Penh rejected.
Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence accused Thailand of carrying out artillery and ground attacks near multiple border areas, including historic temple sites. A ministry spokesperson said ancient temple complexes had sustained damage due to shelling.
In response, the Thai military alleged that Cambodian forces had fired into residential zones and were positioning long-range rocket launchers for further strikes.
The long-running border dispute centres on competing sovereignty claims over historic sites, notably the ancient Hindu temples of Ta Moan Thom and Preah Vihear.
Although the International Court of Justice ruled in 1962 that Preah Vihear belonged to Cambodia, tensions reignited in 2008 when Phnom Penh sought UNESCO World Heritage status for the site, sparking years of sporadic clashes.
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