Thailand: Thailand and Cambodia have reached an agreement for an “immediate and unconditional” ceasefire, marking a significant development in efforts to resolve the deadly border clashes that have persisted for five days. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced this breakthrough on Monday, following discussions chaired under the auspices of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) regional bloc.
According to France24.com, Anwar stated that both sides have agreed to take steps towards normalcy after what he described as frank discussions. Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai committed to the ceasefire, which will take effect from midnight local time on Tuesday. Hun Manet expressed hope for a return to normal bilateral relations, allowing approximately 300,000 evacuated villagers to return home. He emphasized the importance of rebuilding trust, confidence, and cooperation between the two nations. Phumtham remarked that the agreement reflects Thailand’s commitment to a peaceful resolution.
The recent hostilities, which began last Thursday with a land mine explosion injuring five Thai soldiers, have resulted in at least 35 casualties and displaced over 260,000 individuals on both sides of the border. The conflict led to both nations recalling their ambassadors and Thailand closing all border crossings with Cambodia, except for the passage of migrant Cambodian workers returning home.
The meeting in Malaysia came in the wake of direct pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump, who indicated that the United States might reconsider trade deals with both countries if the conflict continued. The joint statement from the talks noted the involvement of the U.S. as a co-organizer, with participation from China as well. Ambassadors from both nations attended the over two-hour-long meeting in Malaysia.
This escalation marks a rare occurrence of open military confrontation between ASEAN member states, a bloc known for its non-aggression, peaceful dialogue, and economic collaboration.
Evacuees on both sides of the border had expressed their hopes for a ceasefire. In an evacuation shelter in Cambodia’s Siem Reap province, Ron Mao, 56, recounted fleeing her home with her family. She expressed a desire for peace, wishing for a quick resolution so she and her children could return home. Thai evacuees shared similar sentiments, with Nakorn Jomkamsing, a farmer in a Surin evacuation camp, voicing her longing for a peaceful life and a return to her home and animals.
The 800-kilometer border between Thailand and Cambodia has been a long-standing point of contention, with the latest tensions igniting in May after a Cambodian soldier was killed in an incident that heightened diplomatic tensions and affected Thailand’s domestic politics.