PUTRAJAY, July 28: Thailand and Cambodia Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an immediate and unconditional ceasefire starting at midnight, marking a major breakthrough after five days of deadly border clashes. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who chaired the emergency peace talks as ASEAN’s annual chair, announced the deal on Monday alongside Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai.
The violence erupted on Thursday when a land mine exploded along the contested border, injuring five Thai soldiers. Both sides blamed each other, and the clashes quickly escalated, resulting in at least 35 deaths and the displacement of over 260,000 people across both nations.
Anwar read a joint statement declaring the ceasefire and emphasized that the leaders had reached a “common understanding” to take immediate steps toward restoring normalcy. He described the talks as “frank” and hailed the agreement as a vital first step towards peace and regional stability.
As part of the ceasefire terms, military commanders from both sides will meet on Tuesday to further ease tensions, while Cambodia will host a border committee meeting on August 4. The foreign and defense ministers of Thailand, Cambodia, and Malaysia have also been tasked with creating a detailed monitoring mechanism to ensure long-term peace.
Hun Manet expressed hope that bilateral relations would normalize quickly, enabling the safe return of approximately 300,000 evacuees. “It’s time to rebuild trust, confidence, and cooperation,” he said. His Thai counterpart, Phumtham, echoed the sentiment, saying the outcome reflected Thailand’s deep desire for a peaceful solution.
The ceasefire comes after strong diplomatic pressure from the United States. President Donald Trump had warned both countries that ongoing hostilities could jeopardize trade deals with the U.S. Trump was involved in organizing the talks, along with China, both of whom sent ambassadors to the peace meeting in Malaysia. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the agreement and reaffirmed Washington’s support for a peaceful resolution. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt celebrated the outcome, crediting Trump and suggesting he deserved the Nobel Peace Prize.
The rare military confrontation between ASEAN member states alarmed regional observers. ASEAN traditionally emphasizes non-aggression, consensus-based dialogue, and economic cooperation. In response to the fighting, Thailand closed its border crossings with Cambodia, except for migrant workers returning home, and both nations recalled their ambassadors.
The ceasefire brought a wave of relief to evacuees. In Surin, Thailand, displaced villagers rejoiced. “I miss home, my livestock, and my rice fields,” said Usa Dasri, a vendor and farmer. She credited external diplomatic efforts for breaking the impasse. Across the border, Cambodian villagers shared cautious optimism. Chhuot Nhav, a mother from Oddar Meanchey province, said she was glad to hear of peace but would wait before returning. Others, like farmer Kong Sin, said they would go home immediately if the ceasefire holds.
Though the two nations have a long history of border disputes, previous confrontations were typically short-lived. The recent escalation, however, followed the killing of a Cambodian soldier in May, which heightened tensions and impacted Thailand’s domestic politics. The ceasefire now offers a chance to step back from the brink and restore stability in the region.. (PTI)
