Thailand, Cambodia Resume Direct Talks as ASEAN Pushes for De-escalation

This Week

Thailand and Cambodia agreed to continue direct negotiations and restore bilateral mechanisms during talks held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Summit in Cebu on 7 May, marking the first major diplomatic engagement between the two countries in months.

Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul and Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet met with Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who facilitated the discussions in his role as ASEAN chair.

The talks followed months of border tensions and military clashes along the disputed Thailand-Cambodia border.

During a joint press conference after the meeting, Marcos said both sides agreed to maintain open communication, avoid actions that could escalate tensions, and continue pursuing peaceful dialogue.

Both countries also agreed to assign their foreign ministers to work on confidence-building measures and maintain direct dialogue to reduce misunderstandings and prevent further violence.

The leaders also agreed to resume bilateral mechanisms, including the Joint Border Commission, General Border Committee, and Regional Border Committee.

The talks also addressed overlapping maritime claims between Thailand and Cambodia, another long-running source of tension between the neighboring countries.

Maritime Disputes

Cambodia reaffirmed its support for resolving maritime disputes through mechanisms under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) after Thailand decided earlier this week to revoke the 2001 memorandum governing overlapping continental shelf claims.

Earlier on 5 May, Thailand’s cabinet approved the termination of the agreement, saying the memorandum had remained in place for 25 years without significant progress.

Anutin later told Thai media that he personally informed Hun Manet of Thailand’s decision and said both countries would continue discussions under UNCLOS principles.

Thai officials stressed that ending the memorandum does not mean cutting ties with Cambodia, adding that both sides would continue negotiations through diplomatic and legal channels.

Marcos described the discussions as constructive and said both leaders showed strong commitment to pursuing peace instead of further conflict.

The Philippines also confirmed a three-month extension of the ASEAN Observer Team mandate to help monitor agreements and support stability along the border.

The meeting signaled renewed regional efforts to prevent further escalation between the two ASEAN member states.

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