Thai and Cambodian military leaders affirm maintaining the halt of troops at Ban Phakkard, Chanthaburi.
Thailand and Cambodia Reaffirm Ceasefire and Agree to Continued Dialogue
Tensions along the Thailand-Cambodia border, which escalated dramatically in late July 2025 with intense clashes and artillery exchanges around disputed temples such as Preah Vihear and Ta Muen Thom, have eased following an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" agreed upon in talks in Kuala Lumpur on July 28.
The ceasefire, while holding, remains precarious due to historical grievances and political rivalry. The ongoing political rivalry involving Thai and Cambodian leadership families further complicates the situation.
On August 3, 2025, the Chanthaburi-Trat Border Defence Command (CTBDC) and Cambodia's Fifth Military Region held a meeting at the Ban Phakkard border crossing to reaffirm their joint commitment to halt military activity and maintain the ceasefire. The meeting took place at 1pm on Tuesday in Chanthaburi's Pong Nam Ron district. Earlier in the day, the CTBDC held an online meeting with Cambodia's Third Military Region at 9am.
During the meeting, both sides agreed to freeze troop movements to ease tensions and prevent misunderstandings. They also agreed to establish direct communication between military commanders if needed. The GBC meeting, scheduled for August 4, 2025, will take place at the Defence Ministry level and is expected to focus on following up on ceasefire implementation and border negotiations.
The international community, including ASEAN, the UN Security Council, and the United States, continues to press for a peaceful resolution to the border dispute. Lasting peace depends on defining and demarcating the border, which would require ongoing bilateral discussions or possibly third-party arbitration. However, Thailand currently prefers bilateral mechanisms over international court involvement.
As of now, both sides remain cautiously optimistic about the ceasefire and the upcoming GBC meeting. The ongoing dialogue and commitment to peace are crucial steps towards resolving the long-standing border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia.
The ongoing dialogue and commitment to peace, being crucial steps towards resolving the long-standing border dispute, have also opened avenues for discussing other pressing matters in the region. For instance, the international business community is keen to know how war-and-conflicts and political instability might impact their operations in both countries. Furthermore, recent developments in Thailand and Cambodia's border dispute have also drawn the attention of major news outlets, making it a topic of general-news interest, beyond just the immediate region.
