Ceasefire not indicative of resolved border conflict, according to Phumtham's clarification.
In a significant development, a ceasefire has been agreed upon between Thailand and Cambodia, following peace talks in Putrajaya, Malaysia. The ceasefire was considered a critical first step to de-escalate violence along their disputed border, which has a history of over a century of dispute.
The ceasefire came into effect after intense negotiations, with Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai of Thailand and his Cambodian counterparts reaching an agreement. Despite the ceasefire, tensions persist, especially regarding Thai proposals for landmine clearance and the removal of fences, to which Cambodia has yet to respond positively.
Phumtham clarified that he agreed to the ceasefire to halt damage to civilian lives and property before further talks could be held. He mentioned that he had submitted six proposals from the Royal Thai Army during the Malaysia meeting, all of which were accepted, but declined to elaborate on the details.
The current status of Thai-Cambodia border negotiations remains tense and unresolved, with key issues stalling progress. Cambodia has delayed action on anti-scammer operations, a concern for Thailand, with the decision-making seeming to involve Cambodia’s highest leadership including Prime Minister Hun Manet and Senate President Hun Sen.
China has offered to mediate and promote landmine clearance talks, positioning itself as an objective and fair mediator to assist ASEAN’s efforts. However, no concrete agreement with Cambodia has yet been reached. Both Thailand and Cambodia have maintained that resolutions should come from bilateral mechanisms, with Thailand refusing to submit to international courts like the ICJ, emphasizing dialogue via joint commissions.
The Thailand-Cambodia Joint Boundary Commission (JBC) has a scheduled meeting in September 2025, which is expected to address long-standing and emerging issues. Sustained dialogue through existing bilateral mechanisms remains central, but there is no clear timeline for a lasting resolution due to recurring opposition and complex political dynamics. The involvement of third-party mediators such as China may increase if Cambodia faces significant diplomatic pressure, potentially influencing fence removal and mine clearance agreements.
Phumtham reaffirmed his commitment to dialogue, noting that talks would continue under the Regional Border Committee (RBC) and General Border Committee (GBC) frameworks. He also said that arrangements were being made for Thailand's deputy defence minister to return a call from Cambodia's defence minister.
The ceasefire was backed by international actors including the United States, China, and ASEAN. However, clashes had continued after the ceasefire deadline at midnight, but Phumtham attributed this to communication delays due to the 800-kilometre Thai-Cambodian border.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Phumtham made it clear that the ceasefire does not signify an end to the border conflict with Cambodia. He appeared frustrated when a reporter asked why he agreed to the ceasefire despite previously stating it would only occur after Cambodian troops withdrew and removed heavy weaponry. He explained that the ceasefire means both sides must agree when to stop firing and negotiations will proceed through existing mechanisms, with the armed forces taking the lead.
The ceasefire is only a first step to pave the way for diplomatic dialogue, and progress depends on diplomatic engagement at the upcoming Joint Boundary Commission meeting, ongoing bilateral talks, and potential mediation by external actors, especially China, under ASEAN’s broader peace efforts.
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