Hostile Host: Cambodia and Thailand have reached an agreement to halt their hostilities.
Cambodia and Thailand have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire that took effect on July 29, 2025, following a five-day border conflict with significant casualties and displacement. The ceasefire has largely held despite some early skirmishes and mutual accusations of violations.
The conflict, marked by armed clashes on July 24, escalated border tensions between the two countries. Thousands of people were evacuated due to the clashes, underscoring the need for de-escalation and restoration of peace and security in the region.
Negotiations and meetings have been instrumental in de-escalating the situation. A key informal meeting took place on July 28 in Putrajaya, Malaysia, where Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai met at the invitation of Malaysian Prime Minister and ASEAN Chair Anwar Ibrahim. The meeting emphasized adherence to international law and peaceful coexistence.
On July 29, regional military commanders from both sides met and agreed to maintain the ceasefire, facilitate the return of wounded and dead, and halt troop movements. Subsequent meetings are ongoing, including a defense attaché meeting in Malaysia acting as a mediator, followed by a larger General Border Committee meeting on August 4 in Cambodia aimed at restoring direct communication lines.
Malaysia, as current ASEAN Chair led by Anwar Ibrahim, has played a central mediation role, hosting meetings, facilitating dialogue, and chairing the ASEAN-led process. The United States and China have acted as observers and co-facilitators in negotiations. Both countries sent ambassadors to encourage dialogue and monitor the situation, reflecting a rare consensus on supporting peaceful resolution.
The US has remained vocal, with statements from President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasizing the expectation that both Cambodia and Thailand honor the ceasefire and engage in dialogue without escalating conflict. China has also been closely watching and engaging diplomatically, supporting ASEAN's mediation efforts and encouraging adherence to ceasefire terms.
Hun Manet, a military leader from Cambodia, called the talks a "very good meeting" and expressed hope for an immediate cessation of hostilities. Cambodia's Prime Minister noted that the results of the talks would open up opportunities for hundreds of thousands of people to return to normal life.
The clashes occurred despite the ongoing mediation efforts by Malaysia, the US, and China. Hun Manet thanked the leaders of Malaysia, the US, and China for their role in the mediation. Veerachai, Thailand's Prime Minister, participated constructively in the talks.
As the ceasefire holds and negotiations continue, displaced civilians are beginning to return home. However, some mutual accusations of ceasefire breaches reflect a fragile peace requiring continued diplomatic attention. For more information on the conflict, read the article.
During the escalation of the five-day border conflict between Cambodia and Thailand on July 24, 2025, the need for de-escalation, peace, and security in the region became more evident, as countless people were displaced. Political negotiations and meetings, such as the key informal meeting in Putrajaya, Malaysia, and the general border committee meeting in Cambodia, have been pivotal in promoting peaceful coexistence and adherence to international law. These diplomatic efforts, led by Malaysia and supported by the US and China, are crucial for the long-term restoration of order and stability in war-and-conflicts zones like this one.
