Cambodia has formally requested to relocate planned border talks with Thailand from Thailand's Chanthaburi province to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, citing ongoing hostilities at the border. The proposal, made by Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha to his Thai counterpart Nattaphon Narkphanit, suggests Malaysia as a safe and neutral venue for the Joint Border Committee (GBC) discussions scheduled for December 24.

In a letter confirming Cambodia's support for the GBC meeting, Seiha stated, "due to ongoing fighting along the border, this meeting should be held in a safe and neutral location". Malaysia, currently holding the ASEAN Chairmanship, has agreed to host the negotiations in its capital. Thailand has yet to comment on Cambodia's proposal.

Cambodian Defense Minister Tea Seiha at an event at Ream naval base, Preah Sihanouk province in April. Photo: AFP

The request comes after Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow announced on December 22 that ceasefire discussions with Cambodia would take place in Chanthaburi the following day. These bilateral talks were intended to build upon a ceasefire agreement previously signed in Kuala Lumpur in October.

Despite Thailand's announcement of resumed talks, fighting persisted along the border on the morning of December 23, according to Maly Socheata, spokesperson for Cambodia's Defense Ministry. The clashes have resulted in at least 23 deaths in Thailand and 21 in Cambodia, displacing over 900,000 people from both nations.

Cambodia has outlined key issues for the GBC meeting to address: an immediate cessation of all hostile actions, and the full respect and implementation of the July 28 ceasefire agreement signed in Kuala Lumpur, along with any related accords.