Tensions Rise, Thai And Cambodian PMs Meet In Kuala Lumpur Tomorrow To Discuss Regional Disputes

Illustration of soldiers or the military towards the forefront of the Cambodian-Thailand conflict. (Unsplash-Philip Andrejevic)

JAKARTA - Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Phamtham Wechayachai are scheduled to meet in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Monday, July 28 to discuss heated border conflicts between the two countries.

Malaysian Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan said that the two leaders entrusted Malaysia as a mediator in resolving the conflict.

I had the opportunity to speak with the foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia. Both agreed that no other country should be involved. They fully believed in Malaysia and asked me to be the mediator," Hasan told the news agency Named, reported on Sunday, July 27.

Malaysia currently serves as chairman of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). According to Hasan, this position is a strong basis for Malaysia to take on the role of mediation.

"As chairman of ASEAN, Malaysia must act first. This is an internal area problem," he said.

Hasan also admitted that he was waiting for further communication from the United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio.

Thailand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the meeting's plan. "As has emerged in the media that there will be a meeting tomorrow, that's all I can confirm, that's true," said Thailand's Foreign Ministry spokesman Nikondet Phaalkun, at a press conference in Bangkok.

When asked about the United States' involvement, Phalangkun said that US President Donald Trump's phone calls to the two leaders were an important trigger. Trump previously stated that Washington would not open trade negotiations with countries involved in armed conflict.

It is known that both Thailand and Cambodia are trying to re-establish trade rate negotiations with the US.

Border tensions between the two countries increased to armed conflict on July 24, 2025. The clashes claimed lives and injuries, including from civilians.

This incident is a continuation of a military clash on May 28 in the disputed neutral zone, which killed one Cambodian military personnel.

The regional dispute between Thailand and Cambodia is rooted in the French colonial era. In 1907, the boundary between the two countries was determined through a map made by the French border stipulation commission. However, the map gives rise to different interpretations because it does not fully load some parts of the border that are difficult to access.

After being released from France in 1953, Cambodia claimed a number of disputed areas.

Thailand prefers bilateral negotiations in resolving border issues, while Cambodia relies more on the International Court. However, Thailand has yet to recognize the jurisdiction of the International Court for the conflict.