U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said State Department officials were in Malaysia to assist peace efforts as Cambodia and Thailand were scheduled to begin talks there on Monday in hopes for a ceasefire.

WASHINGTON: United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio said State Department officials are in Malaysia to assist peace efforts, with Cambodia and Thailand scheduled to begin talks on Monday (Jul 28) in hopes of a ceasefire.

Thailand and Cambodia exchanged heavy artillery fire for a second day on Friday as fighting intensified and spread, while Cambodia's leader said Thailand had agreed to a Malaysian ceasefire proposal but then backed down.

Thailand bombed Cambodia with F-16 fighter jets on Thursday, as relations between the two countries imploded following clashes on a disputed border near the Emerald Triangle.

The Chairman of ASEAN, Anwar Ibrahim, says Malaysia has contacted both leaders as tensions rise at the Thailand-Cambodia border.

The UK Foreign Office has issued updated advice for travelling to Cambodia and Thailand amid clashes on the border. This morning (July 24), skirmishes broke out at a disputed part of the Thailand-Cambodian border, with troops exchanging fire.

Thailand is a country in Southeast Asia. Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, and Malaysia border it. The capital city is Bangkok, renowned for its bustling markets, delectable street food, and stunning temples.

The leaders of Thailand and Cambodia announced today that they have agreed to end the fighting that broke out on the countries’ border last week