KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — In a high-stakes diplomatic breakthrough, the leaders of Thailand and Cambodia are set to meet today in a bid to end the most intense cross-border violence between the two countries in over a decade. The urgent talks were scheduled after former U.S. President Donald Trump intervened, threatening trade tariffs to pressure both sides into a ceasefire agreement.
Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet will convene at 3 p.m. local time in Kuala Lumpur, according to Thai government spokesperson Jirayu Houngsub. The meeting will be hosted at the office of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is facilitating the dialogue in his capacity as the current chair of ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations).
The border tensions have drawn international concern, with fears of regional destabilization mounting. Recent skirmishes have reportedly led to military casualties and civilian displacement along the disputed frontier, making this one of the most volatile periods in Thai-Cambodian relations since the early 2010s.
In a rare diplomatic move, Donald Trump — who remains a dominant figure in U.S. Republican politics — leveraged his influence by threatening economic penalties on both nations if they failed to enter into talks. Trump’s intervention reportedly helped break a weeks-long stalemate.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that State Department officials are on the ground in Malaysia to support the peace initiative. “The U.S. is committed to regional stability and applauds the willingness of both governments to come to the table,” Rubio said, as reported by Reuters.
The outcome of today’s meeting may determine the future of diplomatic and military relations between the two Southeast Asian neighbors. The international community, particularly ASEAN member states, is watching closely with hopes for a peaceful resolution.
Key Updates:
- Thai and Cambodian PMs to meet in Kuala Lumpur at 3 p.m. local time.
- Talks mediated by Malaysian PM Anwar Ibrahim under ASEAN framework.
- Trump pressured both sides by threatening trade sanctions.
- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirms U.S. involvement in peace efforts.
- Escalation along the border marks worst violence in over 10 years.
