Intense fighting between Thailand and Cambodia comes to a halt following accord on temporary truce
Thailand and Cambodia Agree to Unconditional Ceasefire Following Border Conflict
After five days of intense conflict along their shared border, Thailand and Cambodia have agreed to an unconditional ceasefire. The truce, effective from midnight local time on Tuesday, was announced in peace talks mediated by Malaysia's interim prime minister Anwar Ibrahim.
The conflict, which escalated on 24 July 2025, was rooted in a long-standing territorial dispute over non-demarcated areas along the border, particularly around the ancient Hindu temples of Prasat Ta Muen Thom and Preah Vihear. Tensions reached a boiling point when Thai soldiers reported Cambodian UAVs flying near the Thai-administered Prasat Ta Muen Thom temple and spotted armed Cambodian soldiers approaching their position. Both sides accused each other of initiating attacks.
The ceasefire aims to immediately end hostilities and restore calm. While specific terms were not detailed in the sources, they typically include the cessation of all military operations, withdrawal of troops to pre-conflict positions, reopening of border points, commitment to peaceful dialogue and conflict resolution, and involvement of ASEAN or regional mediation to resolve territorial disputes peacefully.
The border commissions of Thailand and Cambodia will meet next Monday to discuss the implementation of the ceasefire terms. The truce was in effect in the Cambodian town of Samraong, 20 kilometers from the border, as reported by an AFP journalist. Artillery fire stopped half an hour before midnight in Samraong, signalling the end of the conflict.
The selection of Putrajaya as the venue for the peace talks reflects Malaysia's role as a neutral regional mediator in the ASEAN framework. Malaysia currently holds the chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), to which Thailand and Cambodia also belong.
The governor of Cambodia's Preah Vihear province, Kim Rithy, announced that the situation was calm 20 minutes after the ceasefire took effect, via Facebook. This ceasefire is a critical step towards de-escalation, but long-term peace depends on diplomatic efforts addressing the root causes of the territorial dispute.
Sources:
- BBC News
- Reuters
- The Diplomat
- CNN
- In the aftermath of the border conflict, it is crucial for both Thailand and Cambodia to establish community policies that promote peaceful coexistence and dialogue, while their respective employment policies should prioritize diplomatic roles and conflict resolution efforts.
- As the situation eases following the ceasefire, war-and-conflicts news outlets should shift their focus to general news, discussing political developments and diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing the territorial dispute and ensuring long-term peace.
