Thailand’s Defence Minister, Nattaphon Narkphanit, said the agreement should be seen as a test of sincerity rather than a concession. He stressed that Thailand’s acceptance of what he described as a “conditional ceasefire” is intended to assess whether Cambodia can genuinely stop armed activities and cross-border threats.

Under the terms of the truce, Thailand has also agreed to return 18 Cambodian soldiers currently in its custody, provided the ceasefire holds for the full 72-hour period. Thai officials said the move is meant to build confidence and prevent further escalation.

The latest agreement follows a previous ceasefire brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump, which temporarily ended five days of clashes in July. That truce collapsed earlier this month after several Thai soldiers were injured by landmines near the contested border area, reigniting hostilities and diplomatic tensions.

The Thailand–Cambodia border has long been a source of friction, with periodic flare-ups linked to unresolved territorial claims and military deployments. While both countries have pledged to resolve disputes peacefully, incidents along the frontier have repeatedly tested bilateral relations.

In a parallel diplomatic effort, the foreign ministers of Thailand and Cambodia are reportedly leading delegations to China’s Yunnan province for talks, underscoring Beijing’s growing role as a regional mediator in Southeast Asian security matters.

Officials from both countries said the coming days will be critical in determining whether the ceasefire can be extended or form the basis for a longer-term de-escalation agreement.

The ceasefire appeared to hold, according to Thai Defence Ministry spokesperson Rear Admiral Surasant Kongsiri, about two hours after it began at noon (0500 GMT).

“So far there’s been no report of gunfire,” he said. Cambodia’s Ministry of National Defence reported no further clashes after a Thai airstrike early Saturday before the ceasefire.

The agreement, signed by Thai Defence Minister Natthaphon Narkphanit and Cambodian counterpart Tea Seiha, ended 20 days of fighting that killed at least 101 people and displaced more than half a million, involving fighter jets, rockets, and artillery.

“Both sides agree to maintain current troop deployments without further movement,” the ministers said.
“Any reinforcement would heighten tensions and negatively affect long-term efforts to resolve the situation,” according to Cambodia.

The ceasefire followed ASEAN foreign ministers’ talks and bilateral meetings at a border checkpoint. Displaced civilians will return, and Thailand will release 18 Cambodian soldiers if the truce holds for 72 hours. The agreement does not affect ongoing border demarcation.

“War and clashes don’t make the two countries or the two people happy,” said Thailand’s Air Chief Marshal Prapas Sornjaidee. “I want to stress that the Thai people and the Cambodian people are not in conflict with each other.”

Fighting flared on Monday after weeks of tension, leaving at least 12 dead and displacing hundreds of thousands along their shared 817-kilometre border. Both countries have accused each other of initiating the clashes, which involved heavy artillery and rockets. The recent violence marks the worst outbreak since July, when an earlier ceasefire was expanded in October after international pressure.

Sihasak stated that Thai-Cambodia relations should be treated separately from trade discussions. He added that the current situation is not suitable for third-party mediation, and Cambodia must demonstrate willingness to engage in talks.

Cambodia maintains it is abiding by the ceasefire and has accused Thailand of aggression. Thai officials warn that continued hostilities could escalate, noting landmine incidents and injuries among soldiers. Thailand has deployed fighter jets and stressed its commitment to defending sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Sihasak said the countries face a choice between pursuing peace or risking further conflict and losses, with any ceasefire proposals from Cambodia subject to review by Thai armed forces.

After five days of intense military clashes that left dozens dead and over 130,000 civilians displaced, Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, officials confirmed late Monday. The truce was brokered during emergency talks in Malaysia under the auspices of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim leading the negotiations.

The agreement marks the first significant breakthrough in de-escalating what had become the most violent confrontation between the two nations in over a decade, centered around the long-disputed Ta Moan Thom temple near the border.

Diplomacy Prevails After Escalation

Thailand’s Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai expressed confidence in the peace process, thanking ASEAN and particularly Malaysia for facilitating dialogue. “We have avoided a further humanitarian disaster,” Phumtham said in Kuala Lumpur. “ASEAN has shown once again that regional unity and diplomacy can avert full-scale conflict.”

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, meanwhile, praised the mediation efforts and notably thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for what he described as “encouraging direct lines of communication” with both parties. China, a close ally of Cambodia, also welcomed the ceasefire, urging both countries to focus on rebuilding trust and maintaining stability along the border.

Background: What Sparked the Clashes?

The violence began following a landmine explosion on July 23 that injured five Thai soldiers, prompting retaliatory airstrikes by Thailand and artillery fire from both sides. Tensions spiraled quickly, spreading to at least 12 flashpoints along the border. Civilians in provinces like Surin and Oddar Meanchey were forced to flee en masse, many seeking refuge in makeshift shelters and nearby towns.

Both countries accused the other of violating previous military agreements. Thailand blamed Cambodia for deploying surveillance drones over restricted areas, while Phnom Penh accused Thai forces of crossing into sovereign territory.

The Ta Moan Thom temple, a centuries-old religious site claimed by both sides, remains a flashpoint. Similar clashes occurred there in 2008 and 2011, making the site a persistent source of friction in Thai-Cambodian relations.

The Ceasefire Agreement: What’s Next?

According to ASEAN’s official communique, the ceasefire includes:

• Immediate withdrawal of forward-deployed troops from active combat zones

• Re-establishment of diplomatic hotlines between military and civilian leaders

• Deployment of ASEAN observers to monitor the truce over the coming weeks

• A commitment to resume talks on border demarcation and temple access

Both governments have signaled a willingness to normalize relations and reopen suspended consulates in border towns. Joint humanitarian efforts will also be launched to assist displaced civilians and restore damaged infrastructure.

Historical Context: A Conflict Rooted in Colonial-Era Boundaries

The roots of the Thai-Cambodian border dispute date back to French colonial maps from the early 20th century, which marked territory ambiguously. Disagreements over temples like Preah Vihear and Ta Moan Thom have flared repeatedly despite international rulings, including a 1962 International Court of Justice decision granting Preah Vihear to Cambodia.

Attempts at reconciliation have come and gone over the years, often derailed by nationalist politics, military posturing, and changing leadership in both nations.

Global Reactions and ASEAN’s Role

The truce has drawn praise from international actors including the United Nations, European Union, and United States, all of whom had urged restraint. ASEAN’s ability to step in and de-escalate the conflict is being seen as a crucial diplomatic win for the regional bloc, especially amid growing global skepticism about its effectiveness.

ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn hailed the ceasefire as “a testament to Southeast Asia’s commitment to peaceful conflict resolution.” He added that ASEAN will continue to monitor the situation and support bilateral negotiations going forward.