Thailand and Cambodia resume peace talks

Thailand and Cambodia have resumed peace talks on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, with the aim of concluding a lasting ceasefire.

Border clashes between the two neighboring countries resumed in May 2025, followed by violent clashes that broke out in July, resulting in dozens of deaths.

A ceasefire negotiated with the participation of the United States, China, and Malaysia subsequently failed, and tensions resumed after December 7 following new exchanges of fire.

Senior military officials met at a border post in the border province of Chanthaburi in Thailand.

The opening meeting lasted about 35 minutes, Thai media reported.

It marked the beginning of talks expected to last four days.

The holding of this meeting was briefly called into question after Cambodia requested a neutral venue.

However, the two countries subsequently confirmed that the talks had begun, specifying that they aimed to end hostilities and restore stability.

What do we know about these latest negotiations?

A Thai F-16 fighter jet bombed and destroyed a casino in the Chong An Ma district after the Thai army discovered that the establishment was serving as a base for the Cambodian army and a hideout for heavy weapons. Photo: Thai Armed Forces

Thai officials said the talks aimed to pave the way for a possible meeting between the two countries' defense ministers on Saturday.

In the meantime, discussions continue within a joint border committee at the level of State Secretaries.

A spokesman for the Thai Ministry of Defense said Bangkok was "very optimistic" about the positive outcome of the negotiations, while adding that progress depended on Cambodia's sincerity.

Thailand has already called on Cambodia to declare a truce and cooperate in demining along the border.

The Cambodian Ministry of Interior expressed optimism about Thailand's sincere willingness to implement a ceasefire, despite ongoing cross-border firing.

Why are Thailand and Cambodia clashing?

Trench dug by Cambodian troops in a disputed border area near Ubon Ratchathani in Thailand that triggered the recent conflict in May 2025. Photo: Thai PBS World

The conflict originates from a decades-old territorial dispute related to colonial-era border demarcations and the location of ancient temple ruins along the border.

The recent conflict, which began on May 28, 2025, was due to the Cambodian army starting to dig trenches in a disputed border area, leading to exchanges of fire with the Thai army that resulted in one death on the Cambodian side.

Then, Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the then Prime Minister, called the former Cambodian leader Hun Sen, taking into account the friendly ties between her father, Thaksin Shinawatra, and him.

Seeking to ease tensions, she referred to him as uncle (a term commonly used in Asia for close family friends) and mentioned the Thai army as a common adversary in a context marked by her family's conflicted history with the military.

But rather than taking advantage of these favorable conditions to end the conflict, Hun Sen, who had recorded the conversation, leaked it to the public, leading to Paetongtarn's dismissal.

See: A betrayal by Hun Sen sows discord in Thailand: the coalition splits

Thailand then launched a campaign against Cambodian scam call centers, and tensions escalated between the two countries.

See: Thailand wants to mobilize the world against Cambodian cybercriminals

These fraudulent call centers, which have ruined many people in Thailand and around the world, are also responsible for the abduction of nationals from several countries, including many Thais, who are tortured or even killed when they fail to meet targets.

See: Cambodia: Atrocious death of a Thai tortured in a call center

Thailand, aware that these criminal networks are linked to Cambodian leaders as revealed by numerous international reports, including that of the UNODC, turned a blind eye so as not to harm diplomatic ties between the two countries.

But after Hun Sen released the call, the country launched a campaign against these networks, causing criminals to lose billions.

Since the resumption of armed clashes in December, the army has directly targeted Cambodian casinos and call centers.

See: Thailand-Cambodia Conflict: Army says it is targeting cybercriminals and casinos

For several observers and analysts, the resumption of the border conflict is due to the desire of Cambodian leaders to divert international attention from these fraudulent call centers.

See: Cambodia provokes Thailand to protect its scam centers

For its part, Phnom Penh claims to be acting in self-defense, accusing Thailand of repeated violations of its sovereignty and military provocations in the disputed border areas.

See also:

Traveling to Thailand despite the conflict with Cambodia: what you need to know

Thailand-Cambodia conflict: can ASEAN achieve a ceasefire?

Thailand-Cambodia conflict: the United States and China try to calm the game

Source: DW