First came a push from the Malaysian premier, then China reached out, but it was only after U.S. President Donald Trump called Thailand's leader last week that Bangkok agreed to talks with Cambodia to end an escalating military conflict.

Thailand has requested Cambodia to move a bilateral meeting of senior security officials next week — considered crucial to de-escalating border tensions following deadly clashes — from Phnom Penh to a neutral location.

Thai and Cambodian leaders are meeting in Malaysia in an urgent effort to resolve deadly border clashes that entered a fifth day despite mounting international calls for peace.