BANGKOK — U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio expressed cautious optimism on Friday that a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia could be restored by Monday or Tuesday of next week. Speaking to journalists in Washington, Rubio stated the administration is working to bring both nations back into compliance with a truce originally brokered by President Donald Trump, according to news agencies.

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“We are working hard to push everybody back to compliance. And we are cautiously optimistic that we can get there by Monday or Tuesday of next week,” Rubio said. He noted that both sides had made written commitments in a declaration signed in Kuala Lumpur in October, but those commitments are currently not being upheld amid renewed hostilities and mutual grievances.

Rubio confirmed he spoke by telephone with Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow on Thursday and said further diplomatic conversations would continue over the weekend. The push for peace comes as foreign ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) prepare to meet in Kuala Lumpur on Monday to address the escalating border crisis.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on the possibility of a ceasefire between Thailand and Cambodia.
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Thailand has maintained that Cambodia must take the first step toward de-escalation by publicly announcing a ceasefire and withdrawing its troops from contested border areas. Rubio defended the earlier U.S. diplomatic effort, asserting that American involvement “actually did stop fighting,” even though violence has since resumed.

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In a parallel diplomatic move, Cambodia confirmed that China’s special envoy for Asian affairs, Deng Xijun, visited Phnom Penh this week to encourage both sides to reduce tensions. Cambodia’s foreign ministry stated that Deng “reaffirmed that China will continue to play a constructive role in facilitating dialogue between Cambodia and Thailand with a view to promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes.”

-Thailand News (TN)