Thailand and Cambodia agree on a ceasefire agreement
The border dispute between Thailand and Cambodia, which escalated sharply in July 2025, has led to a temporary ceasefire following an emergency session of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
The ceasefire agreement was reached under international pressure, with ASEAN and the UN Security Council playing significant roles. Both Thailand and Cambodia committed to an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" during the talks held on July 28, 2025.
The agreement stipulates that military forces shall remain at their current positions as of July 28, with no additional reinforcements permitted. Both parties also agreed to avoid military provocations and the dissemination of false information.
A temporary observer team will be established, comprising ASEAN defense attaches based in Thailand and Cambodia, led by Malaysia. The observers will regularly monitor the area without crossing the border, working with the Regional Border Committee (RBC) and GBC in both countries to ensure that the ceasefire is respected.
Thailand has expressed concern over the ongoing build-up of Cambodian forces along the border and the reported sighting of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) coming from Cambodian territory. The Thai delegation raised these issues during the emergency session.
Both nations have reaffirmed their commitment to a comprehensive ceasefire covering all types of weaponry. The success of the agreement will depend on sincere cooperation from both nations, according to Gen Nattaphon, the Thai representative at the meeting.
Existing bilateral mechanisms will be maintained to prevent further escalation. The discussions during the emergency session were described as cordial and constructive.
Several issues, such as joint demining of disputed areas and stopping cross-border crimes, were not discussed at the emergency session and will be brought up in the next GBC meeting.
Lt Gen Boonsin, the Thai military chief, confirmed that the F-16 jets will be used to defend Thailand's sovereignty. He dismissed a call by Cambodia's Senate President to stop deploying F-16 jets and for the international community to stop selling combat aircraft to the Thai government, stating it is an internal matter.
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim welcomed the outcome of the discussion, calling it a "significant step forward". Both sides pledged to strictly observe international agreements, including immediate repatriation of deceased personnel and prompt return of prisoners of war following the complete cessation of hostilities, in line with the Third Geneva Convention.
The ceasefire, while a positive development, does not guarantee a durable peace. The situation remains fragile due to deep-rooted mistrust, nationalist politics, and unresolved issues over demarcating the border definitively. Thailand has historically rejected International Court of Justice jurisdiction, complicating efforts towards third-party arbitration.
The border dispute remains a highly volatile geopolitical flashpoint. Sustained dialogue, possible third-party involvement for border demarcation, and overcoming political nationalism that has historically hampered negotiations are necessary for a final peaceful resolution.
War-and-conflicts persist in the Thai-Cambodian border region, with politics and general news largely focusing on the ongoing dispute and efforts towards a peaceful resolution. The ceasefire agreement reached in July 2025 by both Thailand and Cambodia was under international pressure, especially from ASEAN and the UN Security Council, following an emergency session of the Thai-Cambodian General Border Committee (GBC) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
