PRIME MINISTER Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has held talks with United States President Donald Trump on the deteriorating conflict along the Cambodia–Thailand border, as regional and international efforts intensify to avert a wider crisis.
In a Facebook post, Anwar said the issue was raised during a telephone call from Trump, who also discussed bilateral relations and global matters of mutual concern.
“Regarding the tension on the Cambodia–Thailand border, I explained Malaysia’s role in urging both countries to remain calm and return to the negotiating table through dialogue as well as bilateral and ASEAN mechanisms.
“Malaysia remains ready to assist efforts to defuse the situation, protect civilians and restore regional stability, in line with the ASEAN spirit of good neighbourliness,” he said.
As ASEAN Chair, Anwar confirmed that Malaysia would convene a Special Meeting of ASEAN Foreign Ministers soon to assess developments and support measures aimed at reducing tensions.
“I also express my appreciation for the active engagement of the United States with ASEAN and the confidence given to Malaysia as the ASEAN Chairmanship 2025,” he added.
The border dispute, rooted in colonial-era demarcation along an 800-kilometre frontier, reignited in July and triggered five days of military clashes.
A ceasefire was agreed in Kuala Lumpur on 24 July, followed by the signing of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord on 26 October during the 47th ASEAN Summit, witnessed by Anwar and Trump.
Despite this, fighting has once again escalated, resulting in multiple fatalities and the displacement of thousands.
In Bangkok, Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul accused Cambodia of responsibility for the latest confrontation, which he said had claimed at least 20 lives and forced about 500,000 people to flee.
During his own call with Trump, Anutin insisted that a ceasefire would only hold if Cambodia agreed to respect it.
“As the party that violated the ceasefire agreement, Cambodia must rectify the situation, not the party affected,” he said.
“Trump said he wanted a ceasefire,” Anutin told reporters. “I replied that it would be better for him to convey that to our friend, Cambodia. It must be announced to the world that Cambodia will abide by the ceasefire.”
Trump, who previously claimed credit for facilitating the July ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia, said he would contact Cambodia’s leadership to restore calm and ensure peace talks resume. The United States, China and Malaysia, in its capacity as ASEAN Chair, had brokered the July ceasefire.
In October, Trump backed a joint declaration by Thailand and Cambodia to extend the truce, but Thailand suspended its participation in November after several soldiers were injured by landmines along the border.
Trump has since indicated that he may need to make “several more phone calls” to steer both sides back towards peace.
Despite the diplomatic flurry, domestic scepticism persists. In Thailand’s Buriram province, evacuee Jirasan Kongchan said peace should be achieved through direct talks between the two countries rather than external mediation.
“I want Thailand and Cambodia to speak to each other first, clearly and firmly. If Cambodia violates the peace agreement again, ASEAN countries should intervene, perhaps with sanctions,” said the 50-year-old farmer.
Across the border in Cambodia’s Banteay Meanchey province, displaced resident Choeun Samnang, 54, said he was heartened to hear that Trump had urged both sides to respect the joint declaration.
“I do not want to see countries at war. I want Cambodia and Thailand to live in peace,” he said at a shelter.
Anutin, meanwhile, maintained there was “no indication” that Washington would link future trade negotiations with the border conflict, but expressed confidence that Thailand would secure favourable terms. - December 13, 2025
