Thailand and Cambodia have reached an agreement for an immediate ceasefire, marking a significant step towards ending weeks of intense border fighting. This announcement was made in a joint statement issued by Cambodian officials.
The resurgence of the long-standing border conflict began earlier this month, leading to the tragic loss of at least 47 lives and displacing around one million individuals, according to official reports. The joint statement, signed by the defense ministers of both nations, specifies that the ceasefire will take effect at noon local time on December 27, 2025, and will apply to all forms of weaponry, including attacks on civilians and infrastructure.
As part of the ceasefire agreement, both countries have committed to halting troop movements and facilitating the safe return of civilians residing in border regions. Additionally, they have agreed to collaborate on demining efforts and addressing cybercrime.
This ceasefire is expected to bring an end to the disputes over several ancient temples located in the contested areas along the border. The resolution follows three days of negotiations initiated after a crisis meeting involving foreign ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), of which both countries are members.
The push for a renewed ceasefire was also supported by external powers, including the United States, China, and Malaysia, all of which urged Thailand and Cambodia to resume peaceful discussions. A previous ceasefire brokered to halt five days of deadly clashes in July was unfortunately short-lived.
