Cambodia and Thailand are on the brink of returning to a ceasefire, but only after weeks of intense fighting that has left dozens dead and nearly a million displaced. The renewed hostilities, sparked by accusations over landmines and long-standing border disputes, have escalated into airstrikes and heavy shelling along critical border towns.

Now, all eyes are on the Christmas Eve meeting of the General Border Committee, a high-stakes negotiation co-chaired by the two countries’ defense ministers, backed by ASEAN, China, and the US. Can this latest round of talks finally stop the bloodshed? Or is mistrust and nationalist rhetoric too high to overcome? 

On The Big Story, Hongbin Jeong speaks to May Wong, Indochina Bureau Chief at The Straits Times, to find out more.