Overview
- Fresh exchanges were reported hours before the Kuala Lumpur meeting, with Cambodia alleging Thai F-16 strikes that destroyed the O’Chik bridge and hit civilian sites, while Thailand reported rocket and drone attacks from across the border.
- Cambodia’s interior ministry says 518,611 people have been displaced inside the country, with Thai authorities reporting about 400,000 displaced on their side and officials tallying at least 40 deaths this month.
- Bangkok insists Phnom Penh must announce a ceasefire first and cooperate on demining, as Thai leaders say they have retaken key areas and are acting to protect sovereignty under international law.
- ASEAN ministers are receiving field observations and U.S.-provided satellite monitoring data as they seek steps to de-escalate and restore a truce that broke down after renewed fighting began on December 8.
- Washington says it hopes for a ceasefire early this week and Beijing has dispatched a special envoy, while Thai officials have also framed some operations as targeting cross‑border scam networks.