Picture courtesy of TNR

 

The United States says it hopes Thailand and Cambodia will restore a ceasefire by early next week as fighting along their shared border continues to cause deaths and mass displacement. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington was “cautiously optimistic” a renewed truce could be reached by Monday or Tuesday, Dec. 22 or 23, amid diplomatic efforts to halt the clashes. The renewed fighting this month has killed at least 21 people in Thailand and 18 in Cambodia, while displacing more than 800,000 people, according to officials.

 

The conflict is rooted in a long-running territorial dispute linked to the colonial-era demarcation of the two countries’ 800km border and the location of ancient temple ruins along the frontier. Tensions have periodically flared over the years, with ceasefires previously agreed but often fragile. President Donald Trump earlier this year claimed success after pressing for an earlier ceasefire, placing Thailand and Cambodia on a list of wars he said he had helped resolve.

 

Speaking to journalists on Dec. 19, Rubio said both sides had signed written commitments to halt fighting but were not currently complying. “Those commitments today are not being kept as a result of both sides claiming grievances against one another, and so the work now is to bring them back to the table,” he said. Rubio added that US diplomacy “actually did stop fighting” previously, although hostilities have since resumed.

 

Rubio said he spoke by telephone on Dec. 18 with Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow and that further conversations would take place over the weekend. Regional diplomacy is also underway, with foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) set to meet on Monday, Dec. 22, in Kuala Lumpur to discuss the crisis. 

 

Key Takeaways

 

• The US hopes Thailand and Cambodia will restore a ceasefire by Dec. 22 or 23, with Washington pressing both sides to comply with signed commitments.

• Renewed fighting this month has killed at least 39 people and displaced more than 800,000 across both countries.

• Asean foreign ministers will meet in Kuala Lumpur on Dec. 22 to discuss the escalating border crisis.

 

Related stories

 

Anutin-says-hailand-will-not-yield-amid-border-clashes

 

Cambodia-tallies-heavy-losses-in-border-conflict 

 

 

 Adapted  by  Asean Now from Thainewsroom 2025-12-21

 

 

Laughable and zero chance.

After a fairly quiet Saturday, got woken up bright and early today with artilery fire next door to us in Phanom Dong Rak. I wish these talks will lead to another ceasefire but I'm not holding my breath.

 

They may agree to a ceasefire but what garantees does Thailand have that Cambo will not start to plant landmines again...

I think Rubio is super smart, but this time better to sit it out. 

On 12/21/2025 at 2:01 AM, Georgealbert said:

Marco Rubio said Washington was “cautiously optimistic” a renewed truce could be reached by Monday or Tuesday, Dec. 22 or 23, amid diplomatic efforts to halt the clashes

Not sure about a Christmas truce but New Year will be quiet.

On 12/21/2025 at 5:31 AM, ukrules said:

Laughable and zero chance.

wait till after the election ????

Must meet the timelines as Donald must be nominated for peace prize by 31 Jan. or he may miss out for another year.

As a cabinet member of the Trump administration this man has no moral authority whatsoever, and most of us were are aware of the fact that American influence has greatly diminished this year around the world. Call it the Trump effect. 

Does he still sweating? 

He’ll do anything he’s told to by the idiotic  clown running the circus. Desperate donnie, who wants to be called a peacemaker so desperate for a Nobel peace prize because Obama got one, fails to comprehend blowing up Venezuelan boats and impounding tankers and trying to steal the oil will do nothing to assist him in his demented obsession. He doesn’t understand that peace negotiations are only a part of the criteria, the others are arms control and disarmament, democracy, environmentalism and human rights. Comparing him to the requirements he’s gonna score badly and never get considered as long as he has a hole up his delusional ass.

 

Nothing wrong with Marco saying this, but he probably knows his words and sentiments have little chance of success right now.

 

 

Rubio, as an immigrant, should focus more on the situation in Puerto Rico rather than entangling himself in a dispute he doesn't fully comprehend. The same applies to his boss as well.

On 12/21/2025 at 9:30 AM, ezflip said:

After a fairly quiet Saturday, got woken up bright and early today with artilery fire next door to us in Phanom Dong Rak. I wish these talks will lead to another ceasefire but I'm not holding my breath.

 

They may agree to a ceasefire but what garantees does Thailand have that Cambo will not start to plant landmines again...

Or if Thailand will sryop attacking Cambodia...by the way  where is any verified proof Cambodia planted any new mines, as, so far, none has been presented, only Thailand's word that Cambodia planted new mines, and of course  we all know Thai never lie  /s

9 hours ago, Colki said:

Must meet the timelines as Donald must be nominated for peace prize by 31 Jan. or he may miss out for another year.

One Freedomprice he has already, the one from the FIFA, specially created for him.

He can be nominated for the real Peace Price, but he will never get that price.

At least he now has another important title:

1 hour ago, BerndD said:

One Freedomprice he has already, the one from the FIFA, specially created for him.

He can be nominated for the real Peace Price, but he will never get that price.

At least he now has another important title:

THE PEACEMAKER

What the fork has it got to do with Rubio?

Go away and stop your complicity in genocide in the Middle East.

5 minutes ago, RobKray said:

What the fork has it got to do with Rubio?

Go away and stop your complicity in genocide in the Middle East.

How about Rubio trying to stop Trump from continuing to give Putin blowies?

6 hours ago, Beat666 said:

Rubio, as an immigrant, should focus more on the situation in Puerto Rico rather than entangling himself in a dispute he doesn't fully comprehend. The same applies to his boss as well.

He isn't an immigrant. Do you think if he was an immigrant he would have ever run for president? 

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

He isn't an immigrant. Do you think if he was an immigrant he would have ever run for president? 

He is second generation Cuban. 

9 minutes ago, RobKray said:

He is second generation Cuban. 

Not an immigrant.

 

UPDATE
Thailand & Cambodia to Resume Ceasefire Talks After Clashes

 

 

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