ASEAN calls for immediate ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia in border conflict.
Foreign ministers from the bloc are calling for dialogue and restraint after a violent escalation that left 33 dead and thousands displaced.
247 - Foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) urged Thailand and Cambodia on Monday (28) to restore peace in their border regions, after days of clashes that resulted in at least 33 deaths, dozens of injuries and hundreds of thousands of displaced people. The statement, issued in Kuala Lumpur – where Malaysia holds the rotating presidency of the bloc until 2025 – calls for an "immediate ceasefire" and the peaceful resolution of disputes, reinforcing the principles of "family, unity and good neighborliness" that govern the organization.
The conflict, which intensified on July 24, involved the use of fighter jets, heavy artillery, and tanks, marking one of the most violent episodes between the two countries in recent decades. "It is essential that both sides exercise maximum restraint and prioritize dialogue," the statement emphasized, also citing the United Nations Charter and the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC) as bases for mediation.
Historical roots and mutual accusations
Tensions on the border date back to the colonial period, when France demarcated the region in 1907, without fully resolving the demarcations. In recent weeks, hostilities have reignited following the death of a Cambodian soldier in May and the amputation of a Thai soldier's leg, a victim of a landmine, on July 23. Both governments accuse each other of initiating the attacks.
While Cambodia took the case to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in June, advocating for a legal solution, Thailand insists on bilateral negotiations. "Escalation only brings suffering to civilians and threatens regional stability," said an ASEAN diplomat on condition of anonymity.
Emergency meeting and regional alert
On Monday, representatives from both countries met in the Malaysian capital seeking a truce, mediated by the bloc. ASEAN – which also includes Indonesia, Singapore, the Philippines, Vietnam, Laos, Brunei, and Myanmar – fears the crisis could spread, as the border region is home to historic temples and vulnerable populations.
