JAKARTA - ASEAN foreign ministers met in Kuala Lumpur on December 22 trying to end the deadly border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia, but the two-hour meeting produced no ceasefire deal. 

Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow told reporters that Thailand insisted on three conditions before agreeing to any ceasefire. Cambodia must declare the ceasefire first as the aggressor, guarantee it is real and continuous, and cooperate in removing landmines from along the border.

The fighting resumed on December 8 after both sides accused each other of breaking the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accord signed in October in the presence of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and US President Donald Trump. 

At least 40 people have died and nearly one million people have been displaced since the conflict restarted. Cambodia's government reported 525,000 people displaced on their side while Thailand reported 400,000. Thailand particularly accuses Cambodia of laying new landmines that have seriously injured Thai soldiers.

Sihasak said while Cambodia has publicly said it is ready for an unconditional ceasefire, Bangkok never received any direct proposal and believed such statements were meant to increase international pressure rather than resolve the issue. 

He told reporters that diplomacy will work when the situation provides the space for diplomacy. I'm sorry to say that right now we don't have that space. The two countries agreed to hold a General Border Committee meeting on December 24 in the Thai border province of Chanthaburi to work out detailed measures for a lasting ceasefire.

ASEAN has previously urged both countries to show maximum restraint and take immediate steps towards the cessation of all forms of hostilities. The US State Department also called on both nations to end hostilities, withdraw heavy weapons, cease emplacement of landmines, and fully implement the Kuala Lumpur Peace Accords.