Kuala Lumpur, July 28, 2025 — In a high-stakes diplomatic effort, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai met in Kuala Lumpur on Monday for urgent ceasefire talks, as border skirmishes between the two Southeast Asian neighbours entered their fifth consecutive day.

The meeting was hosted by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at his official residence, highlighting Malaysia’s emerging role as a regional mediator amid increasing instability in the ASEAN bloc.

Background: A five-day-long military escalation

Tensions between Cambodia and Thailand flared last week along a disputed stretch of their shared border near the Preah Vihear temple, a historical flashpoint that has seen multiple confrontations over the years.

Both sides have reported:

• Exchange of gunfire and artillery shells

• Military and civilian casualties

• Evacuations of local villages and border markets

While neither side has confirmed the exact casualty figures, local media reports suggest at least 17 people — including soldiers — have been killed or injured since the clashes began.

Malaysia steps in as peace facilitator

Anwar Ibrahim, who has repeatedly advocated for peaceful conflict resolution under the ASEAN framework, welcomed both leaders and urged an immediate ceasefire.

“The ASEAN spirit must prevail. Dialogue, not violence, is the solution,” Anwar stated at the opening of the meeting.

This marks the first time in over a decade that Malaysia has hosted a trilateral regional peace talk involving active border combatants from the ASEAN bloc.

A fragile history of Cambodian-Thai border disputes

The Cambodia-Thailand border has remained a sensitive and disputed zone since the fall of the Khmer Rouge regime in the late 1970s. In particular:

• The area near the Preah Vihear temple has been under dispute for decades, despite a 2008 International Court of Justice ruling in favour of Cambodia.

• Armed conflicts broke out in 2008, 2011, and now again in 2025, usually triggered by military construction or troop movements.

Observers say the latest conflict was likely sparked by Cambodian troops setting up new outposts, which Thai authorities claimed violated the status quo agreement.

ASEAN’s response and international pressure

With both Cambodia and Thailand being members of ASEAN, the organisation is under increasing pressure to act as an effective peacebroker.

The ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn has called for:

• Immediate cessation of hostilities

• Respect for international borders

• Activation of ASEAN’s Conflict Prevention Mechanism (CPM)

Meanwhile, the United Nations and European Union have issued statements urging restraint, and China and the United States have offered diplomatic support for ceasefire efforts.

Impact on regional trade and civilians

The border region affected by the conflict hosts several key trade corridors, including:

• Cross-border truck routes for Thai electronics and agricultural exports

• Cambodian textile and rice supply chains

Reports from the ground indicate that:

• Over 2,000 civilians have fled villages near the conflict zone.

• Several markets and customs offices are temporarily closed.

• Aid agencies are unable to access the area, raising concerns over food and medical shortages.

Key issues in the ceasefire negotiation

According to sources present at the Malaysian talks, the following points are being discussed:

• Mutual troop withdrawal to agreed pre-conflict positions

• International monitoring of the ceasefire

• Reaffirmation of prior ICJ rulings

• Opening humanitarian corridors for evacuation and aid

Both leaders are expected to release a joint statement by late Monday evening, pending agreement on ceasefire logistics.

Conclusion

While Monday’s diplomatic meet offers a ray of hope, the situation remains tense and could escalate without firm commitments. The Malaysian-led ceasefire talks could define the future of conflict management in Southeast Asia, particularly in the ASEAN era of strategic competition.

As the world watches closely, the hope is that dialogue will triumph over firepower — and that regional peace will prevail.

The Upcoming IPOs in this week and coming weeks are M&B Engineering, Cash Ur Drive Marketing, Renol Polychem, Jyoti Global Plast, Takyon Networks, Mehul Colours, Aditya Infotech, Sri Lotus Developers & Realty, Lakshmi India Finance, Jyoti Global Plast, B.D. Industries (Pune), Kaytex Fabrics, Umiya Mobile, Repono, NSDL.

The Current active IPO are Shree Refrigerations, Sellowrap Industries, Shanti Gold International, Patel Chem Specialities, Brigade Hotel Ventures, Indiqube Spaces, GNG Electronics, TSC India.

Start your Stock Market Journey and Apply in IPO by Opening Free Demat Account in Choice Broking FinX.

Join our Trading with CA Abhay Telegram Channel for regular Stock Market Trading and Investment Calls by CA Abhay Varn - SEBI Registered Research Analyst.