Thailand and Cambodia resumed military negotiations on Christmas Day as their border conflict entered its 18th day, with the death toll reaching 96 and nearly one million people displaced across both nations. The secretary-level talks, held under observation of an ASEAN monitoring team, represent the first direct military dialogue since hostilities erupted on December 7-8.US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday urged both countries to implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords signed in October, reiterating President Donald Trump's desire for peace during a call with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet. "Secretary Rubio further reaffirmed that the United States is prepared to facilitate discussions to ensure peace and stability between Cambodia and Thailand," the State Department said.
The conflict has claimed at least 23 Thai soldiers, one Thai civilian, and 41 Thai civilians as "collateral effects," according to Thai authorities, while Cambodia's Interior Ministry reported 31 civilian deaths. Cambodia has not formally confirmed military casualties, though Prime Minister Hun Manet's Facebook post Wednesday indicated first lady Pich Chanmony attended funeral rites for "soldiers who perished while defending our territory. Nearly 610,000 Cambodians and more than 150,000 Thais remain displaced, according to official figures, with the humanitarian crisis deepening daily. Aid agencies have warned of growing shortages of food, clean water, and medical supplies in temporary shelters
Pope Leo XIV on Christmas Day urged restoration of the "ancient friendship" between Thailand and Cambodia during his Urbi et Orbi address, joining earlier appeals from the Vatican for both nations to "cease fire immediately and resume dialogue". Catholic bishops in both countries have mobilized humanitarian aid through Caritas as the violence spread across seven provinces along the 800-kilometer border.���France expanded its travel advisory on December 24 to encompass additional provinces including Battambang and Banteay Meanchey, where fighting has intensified. Australia advised citizens to reconsider travel within 50-80 kilometers of the border, including popular tourist destinations near Angkor Wat.��The renewed violence follows the collapse of the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords, signed October 26 with Trump and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim as witnesses. Thailand suspended the agreement after several soldiers were injured by a landmine in November, accusing Cambodia of placing new mines—charges Cambodia denied. China also dispatched Special Envoy Deng Xijun for shuttle diplomacy between December 18-23, with both nations expressing willingness to de-escalate.Military talks are scheduled to continue through Friday, potentially paving the way for defense ministers to meet Saturday. The conflict stems from territorial disputes over colonial-era border demarcations and ancient temple ruins along the frontier.